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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Initiative involves the willingness to move first and to see around corners, defining the next what-if, rallying others and building something meaningful even when the path is uncertain. Daniel V. McGehee, The Conversation, 25 Nov. 2025 As a fascinating footnote of history, this obscure what-if offers an important lesson to the present. Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025 Jess Gabor plays Christy’s teenage girlfriend, a thwarted first love who lingers as a great what-if in Christy’s life before resurfacing at a crucial time. Joe Reid, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025 Companies are superpowering their teams with AI to run thousands of what-if scenarios across sourcing, production, and logistics. Rick Morris, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“What if.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what%20if. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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