whatever
Noun pluralwhatevers
Pluralwhatevers
- 1Anything or everything that fits, of any kind at all.
Order whatever you like; I'm happy with all of it.
She said she'd eat whatever was in the fridge.
UsageAt the end of a list, whatever can mean and so on.
Note
- 2Used before a noun to mean any or all of the things, of any kind, that fit.
Bring whatever snacks you like to the party.
Use whatever tools work best for the job.
UsageWhen you choose from a few known things, people often say whichever instead.
- 3Used to say that something stays true no matter what happens.
Whatever happens tonight, we will stay together.
I'll support you, whatever you decide.
UsagePut a comma after the whatever part when it comes first: Whatever happens, we stay.
- 4Used before a noun to mean no matter which one it is.
Whatever path you take, stay safe.
Whatever excuse he gives, don't believe him.
UsageYou can leave out the verb: whatever the reason, we go.
Similarwhichever
- 5Said to show you don't care about something or don't want to talk about it anymore.
Like waving your hand to brush something away.
When her brother kept arguing about the movie, she rolled her eyes and said, 'Whatever.'
'You never listen to me.' 'Whatever, I'm going out.'
UsageSaying it to someone can sound rude, like I don't care.
Similarwhatev
Note
- 6At all or in any way, used after 'no', 'none' or 'nothing' to make it stronger.
There is no reason whatever to worry.
She had no doubt whatever about her choice.
UsagePut it after no + a noun: no reason whatever. It means at all.
Similarwhatsoever
- 7A word for a person or thing whose name is unknown, forgotten, or does not matter.
Pass me that whatever on the shelf, would you?
He fixed the sink with a little metal whatever from his toolbox.
UsageSay a whatever or that whatever: that metal whatever on the shelf.
Less common meanings
- 8Not special or interesting in any way.
Like a meal that fills you up but you forget right away.
The movie was just whatever. I forgot it by morning.
Dinner was pretty whatever, nothing I'd order again.
UsageWe say something was kind of whatever or pretty whatever.
Similarunremarkable, forgettable, mediocre, bland
Oppositememorable, remarkable, exceptional
Note
- 9Used to ask 'what' with surprise or strong feeling.
Whatever are you doing up on the roof?
Whatever did she mean by that remark?
UsageUse it like what in a question, to sound surprised: whatever are you doing?
Similarwhat
Note
- 10An emphatic form of 'what' used before a noun in surprised questions.
Whatever reason could she have for leaving?
Whatever excuse did he come up with this time?
Similarwhat
Note
- 11Used to ask in what way or how much, with strong feeling.
But whatever does it matter if we get there a little late?
Whatever does it matter how we get there?
UsageMostly in whatever does it matter?, meaning it doesn't matter.
Similarhow
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English whatever, made from what and ever.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Whatever comes from Middle English whatever. en.wiktionary.org
- Whatever combines what and ever. en.wiktionary.org