DictionaryAI

whatever

wut-EV-ur/wʌtˈɛv.ɚ/UKwot-EV-uh/ʍɒtˈɛv.ə/

Noun pluralwhatevers

11 meanings of whatever

Practice

  1. 1
    everything thatpronoun
    Anything 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
  2. 2
    determiner
    Used 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.

  3. 3
    pronoun
    Used 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.

  4. 4
    determiner
    Used 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

  5. 5
    interjectioncolloquial
    Said 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
  6. 6
    adverb
    At 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

  7. 7
    nouncolloquialcountable
    A 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.

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English whatever, made from what and ever.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts