whatever

[ wuht-ev-er, wot-, wuht-, hwuht-, hwot-, hwuht- ]

pronoun

1. anything that (usually used in relative clauses):

   Whatever you say is all right with me.

2. (used relatively to indicate a quantity of a specified or implied antecedent):

   Take whatever you like of these.

3. no matter what:

   Do it, whatever happens.

4. any or any one of a number of things whether specifically known or not:

   papers, magazines, or whatever.

5. what (used interrogatively):

   Whatever do you mean?

adjective

1. in any amount; to any extent:

   whatever merit the work has.

2. no matter what:

   whatever rebuffs he might receive.

3. being what or who it may be:

   Whatever the reason, he refuses to go.

4. of any kind (used as an intensifier following the noun or pronoun it modifies):

   any person whatever.

interjection

1. (used to indicate indifference to a state of affairs, situation, previous statement, etc.)

whatever

/ wət-; wɒtˈɛvə /

pronoun

1. everything or anything that

   do whatever he asks you to

2. no matter what

   whatever he does, he is forgiven

3. informal.
   an unknown or unspecified thing or things

   take a hammer, chisel, or whatever

4. an intensive form of what, used in questions

   whatever can he have said to upset her so much?

determiner

1. an intensive form of what

   use whatever tools you can get hold of

adjective

1. postpositive absolutely; whatsoever

   I saw no point whatever in continuing

interjection

1. informal.
   an expression used to show indifference or dismissal

Word History and Origins

Origin of whatever¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; what, ever

Idioms and Phrases

see or whatever .

Example Sentences

For “Harley Quinn,” I wasn’t on camera so I got to do whatever the hell I want.

From Los Angeles Times

“If there’s any yards we gained, whether it’s giving a move or continuing to run up field, I’ll do whatever we need to,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“So, you know, we just finished doing up-downs for each penalty that we have. So, we’re making sure that that’s a focus and everybody understands that, and I think eventually we’re gonna come out of it penalty-less, or whatever word I’m trying to say.”

From Los Angeles Times

Whatever your political position—Democrat, Republican, independent—Americans should be alarmed and outraged at the role money is playing in their democracy.

From Slate

"He can say whatever he wants. In the ring is where the party begins and he's finally going to party with the big boys."

From BBC

Related Words

• whatsoever