whether
WEH-thuh
Whether (conj) means used to introduce a question or choice between two or more possibilities. Example: “She couldn't decide whether to take the job or stay where she was.”
conj
1
Used to introduce a question or choice between two or more possibilities.
"She couldn't decide whether to take the job or stay where she was."
"I'm not sure whether it will rain tomorrow."
"Let me know whether you can come to the meeting on Friday."
How to use whether
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIntroduces a choice between options, similar to "if" but used for alternatives.
Common mistake
Frequently confused with "weather" (the sound is identical); "whether" is always about choice or possibility, never about rain or sunshine.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
whether or not
whether to
question of whether
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like whether.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She couldn't decide _____ to take the job or stay where she was.
Etymology
From Old English hwæther, originally meaning "which of the two" — a comparative form built on the same root as "who".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for whether
See all rhymes for whether →Frequently asked questions
What does “whether” mean?
The word “whether” means used to introduce a question or choice between two or more possibilities. In plain terms, introduces a choice between options, similar to "if" but used for alternatives.
How do you pronounce “whether”?
“Whether” is pronounced WEH-thuh (/ˈwɛðə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “whether” in a sentence?
Here is “whether” used in a sentence: “She couldn't decide whether to take the job or stay where she was.”
What part of speech is “whether”?
“Whether” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “whether” come from?
The word “whether” comes from Old English. From Old English hwæther, originally meaning "which of the two" — a comparative form built on the same root as "who".
Is “whether” a common word?
“Whether” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between whether and weather?
They sound identical but are unrelated. Whether is a conjunction introducing a choice or question between possibilities — 'whether to stay or go.' Weather is a noun for the state of the atmosphere: rain, sun, wind or snow. If you can replace the word with 'if,' you want whether; if it involves the sky, you want weather.
What is the difference between whether and if?
Both can introduce an indirect question, and often either works: 'I don't know whether/if she's coming.' Whether is preferred when presenting two clear alternatives, especially with 'or not,' after prepositions, and before 'to' plus a verb — 'whether to leave.' If tends to feel slightly more casual and conversational.
What is an example of 'whether' in a sentence?
Whether introduces alternatives: 'I can't decide whether to walk or drive.' It often pairs with 'or not' — 'we're going whether or not it rains.' It also follows verbs of doubt or asking, as in 'she wondered whether he had noticed' or 'let me know whether you're free.'
Do you always need to say 'whether or not'?
Not always. You need 'or not' when you mean regardless of the alternatives — 'I'm going whether or not you come.' But when whether simply introduces a doubt or indirect question, 'or not' is optional and often dropped: 'I'm not sure whether he agrees' reads perfectly well on its own.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include whether:
