whatever
ot-EHV-uh
Whatever (det) means any at all, no matter which; used to show something applies without restriction. Example: “Take whatever seat is free.”
det
1
Any at all, no matter which; used to show something applies without restriction.
"Take whatever seat is free."
"Whatever reason he gives, I won't believe it."
"Choose whatever colour you like, because they all cost the same to print."
pron
1
Anything at all, regardless of what it is.
"Whatever happens, stay calm."
"Eat whatever you like from the fridge."
"Whatever you decide to do, I will support you completely."
intj
1
Used to dismiss something as unimportant or to show indifference.
""You're late again." "Whatever.""
"She rolled her eyes and muttered, "Whatever," before walking out of the room."
How to use whatever
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flexible word meaning "anything, no matter what" — or, as an interjection, a dismissive "I don't care."
When to use it
The interjection use ("Whatever.") is informal and can sound curt or dismissive.
Common pairings
whatever happens
whatever it takes
or whatever
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Word forms
- Plural
- whatevers
- Comparative
- more whatever
- Superlative
- most whatever
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Take _____ seat is free.
Etymology
From Middle English, formed by joining "what" and "ever" for emphasis.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for whatever
See all rhymes for whatever →Frequently asked questions
What does “whatever” mean?
The word “whatever” means any at all, no matter which; used to show something applies without restriction. In plain terms, a flexible word meaning "anything, no matter what" — or, as an interjection, a dismissive "I don't care.".
How do you pronounce “whatever”?
“Whatever” is pronounced ot-EHV-uh (/wʌtˈɛv.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “whatever” in a sentence?
Here is “whatever” used in a sentence: “Take whatever seat is free.”
What part of speech is “whatever”?
Depending on how it is used, “whatever” can be a det, a pronoun and an intj.
Where does the word “whatever” come from?
The word “whatever” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, formed by joining "what" and "ever" for emphasis.
Is “whatever” a common word?
“Whatever” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “whatever” have?
“Whatever” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any at all, no matter which; used to show something applies without restriction.
What is the difference between whatever and whichever?
Both mean no matter which, but whichever implies a limited set of options to choose from, while whatever is open-ended with no fixed range. "Take whichever seat you like" suggests a specific group of seats; "whatever you need" places no limit at all on the possibilities.
Is whatever rude?
As a determiner, as in "whatever help you need," it is completely neutral and standard. As a standalone reply, though, "Whatever," it is often dismissive or sarcastic, signalling indifference or a wish to end the argument. Tone and context decide: the grammatical use is polite; the throwaway interjection usually is not.
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