whether

1 of 2

conjunction

wheth·​er ˈ(h)we-t͟hər 

(ˌ)(h)wə-

1

a

: if it is or was true that

I didn't ask whether they were going.

determining whether this window was replaced when the others were

b

: if it is or was better

deciding whether we should agree or raise objections

uncertain whether to go or stay

2

—used to indicate choices or possibilities

whether you pay now or later

whether by accident or by design

whether we succeed or fail

—often used with not or no

The game will be played whether it rains or not.

… see me no more, whether he be dead or no.

—Shakespeare

3

archaic

—used to introduce a direct question involving alternatives

Whether does doubting consist in embracing the affirmative or negative side of a question?

—George Berkeley

whether

2 of 2

pronoun

1

archaic : which one of the two

2

archaic : whichever one of the two

Phrases

whether or not

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

or usually whether or no archaic : in any case

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

—Thomas Hardy

Examples of whether in a Sentence

Conjunction

That supposes I would have the wisdom to decide what is in fact right and what is wrong, and the humility to consider whether any action I could take would make things better or worse. —P. D. James, The Private Patient, 2008

In his later years, Turing turned to the question of whether machines could be made to think the central question of artificial intelligence. —Chuck Leddy, Boston Globe, 15 Jan. 2006

If you tell me that something is a pleasure, I do not know whether it is more like revenge, or buttered toast, or success, or adoration, or relief from danger, or a good scratch. —C. S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism, 1961

I don't know whether they were invited.

She was uncertain whether to go or stay.

Pronoun

… we did not indeed know where it was, and so we might get a great deal, or a little, we did not know whether;  … —Daniel Defoe, The Adventures of Captain Singleton, 1720

Recent Examples on the Web

Conjunction

At the conclusion of the hearing, slated to last three days, Judge Lisa Novak will determine whether there is enough evidence for Li and Bayat to stand trial before a jury. —Aaron Kinney, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Pronoun and Conjunction

Middle English, from Old English hwæther, hwether; akin to Old High German hwedar which of two, Latin uter, Greek poteros, Old English hwā who — more at who

First Known Use

Conjunction

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for whether

• aether
• gether
• heather
• leather
• nether
• tether
• weather
• wether
• altogether
• together

Kids Definition

whether

conjunction

wheth·​er

ˈhwet͟h-ər,

ˈwet͟h-,

(ˌ)hwət͟h-ər,

(ˌ)wət͟h-

1

a

: if it is or was true that

ask whether they are going

b

: if it is or was better

uncertain whether to go or stay

2

—used to introduce two or more situations of which only one can occur

whether we succeed or fail, we must try

we're going whether or not you come