what if

1 of 2

phrase

1

: what will or would be the result if

2

: what does it matter if

So what if he doesn't like it.

what-if

2 of 2

noun

ˌ(h)wät-ˈif, 

ˌ(h)wət- 

: a suppositional question

what-if adjective

Examples of what if in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

And what if, having been shown the error of their ways, the unorthodox individuals refused to change? — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

And what if Jim Martz, then the Broward sports editor, had not hired me? — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Noun

Clients should be able to seamlessly run what-if scenarios to see how major purchases or investment decisions shape their plans, with an AI avatar providing quick answers along the way. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Catherine’s story line evokes a feverish what-if scenario in which a survivor musters the requisite recklessness, talent for murder, and wig collection to mete out retribution. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for what if

• biff
• cliff
• diff
• glyph
• griff
• riff
• schiff
• skiff
• sniff
• stiff
• tiff
• whiff