whatever

American  

[wuht-ev-er, wot-, hwuht-, hwuht-, hwot-, wuht-] / wʌtˈɛv ər, wɒt-, ʰwət-, ʰwʌt-, ʰwɒt-, wət- /

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?

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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 British  

/ 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?

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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

whatever Idioms  

1. see or whatever.

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Etymology

Origin of whatever

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

Example Sentences

The counselors who made her feel truly understood “don’t even have to understand what I’m going through, but they do understand how to relate to someone, how to adapt whatever training they’ve had.”

From Los Angeles Times

For Darren, the issue is not only about awareness but about making whatever time Sophia has left as supported and comfortable as possible.

From BBC

The aim is to be bustlingly kinetic, but the feel is pure kindergarten: no logic, just jerky leaps from one gaming situation to the next, with characters and objects taking on whatever powers are needed.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Luckily, I have no children. I don't have a spouse, so it's just me and whatever I have I help my sister with."

From Barron's

They exist against the backdrop of whatever problem or crisis is engulfing the royal family or government back at home.

From BBC

Related Words

• whatsoever