what-if

[ hwuht-if, hwot‑, wuht‑, wot‑ ]

adjective

1. hypothetical:

   a what-if scenario.

noun

1. a hypothetical case or situation; conjecture:

   a series of what-ifs.

what-if

noun

1. informal.
   a hypothetical question; speculation

   one of the great what-ifs of modern history

Word History and Origins

Origin of what-if¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Idioms and Phrases

Suppose that, as in What if the speaker doesn't get here in time? This expression is in effect a shortening of “what would happen if.” It was first recorded about 1420.

Example Sentences

That is, when things are going well, no one feels compelled to spend money on a what-if project.

From The Daily Beast

Take concrete steps aimed at addressing the problem that looms, rather than ruminating abstractly about what-if scenarios.

From The Daily Beast