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- How to pronounce what-if (audio)
: a suppositional question
what-if adjective

Examples of what if in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The Minnesota Wild players are not playing hockey right now and still have a what-if nagging at them about injuries. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 May 2026 For the Angels, Moreno’s refusal to bring the trade to fruition represents yet another what-if from Ohtani’s time in Anaheim. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 May 2026 Conforto came around to score, but the other what-if was bigger. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 After the Wildcats won in OT, Santa Clara was left wondering what-if. Tim Rohan, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for what if

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of what if was in 1970

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“What if.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what%20if. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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