whether or not

1 of 2

phrase (1)

1

: without being stopped or affected by something specified

We're going whether or not you decide to come along.

2

a

: if it is or was true that

uncertain whether or not all the options have been explored

b

: if it is or was better

wondered whether or not to include those details

3

archaic : in any case

"They've only been married a very few weeks, whether or no."

—Thomas Hardy

whether or not

2 of 2

phrase (2)

variant of whether or no

: in any case

they've only been married a very few weeks, whether or no

—Thomas Hardy

Examples of whether or not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

For example, any school that gets federal money must ensure that students have equal chances to take advantage of educational opportunities, whether or not English is their native language. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026

The federal judge will decide on Saturday — one week after his arrest — whether or not to indict him in the separate case for treason. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

There's a lot of chatter about whether or not these polls are completely accurate. — Chris Tye, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

But whether or not her reaction to Abott and Costello was genuine or manufactured, her reaction to Fielder was the perfect punch line to a quintessential Nathan for You–style joke. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for whether or not

• immunoblot
• aeronaut
• aforethought
• afterthought
• apricot
• argonaut
• astronaut
• camelot
• coffeepot
• concordat
• cosmonaut
• entrepot