whatever

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ʍɒtˈɛvə/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ʍɑtˈɛvɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: what‧ev‧er

Determiner

Determiner whatever

1. (indefinite) (relative) You use whatever when it doesn't matter which thing.
   • Synonym: any

   It's OK to take whatever bus comes first.

   I'll take whatever help I can get.

2. (definite) (relative) You use whatever when there's a particular thing, but you can't remember what it was.
   • Synonym: the

   We took whatever bus came first, number 41 I think.

3. (question) You use whatever to make what stronger.

   Whatever problem do you mean?

Pronoun

Pronoun whatever

1. (question) You use whatever when it doesn't matter which thing.

   Whatever you choose, you'll be happy.

2. (definite) (relative) You use whatever when it doesn't matter which thing.

   Whatever you do will be OK.

3. (definite) (relative) You use whatever when there's a particular thing, but you can't remember what it was.

   We took whatever came first.

4. (question) You use whatever to make what stronger.

   Whatever do you mean?

   Whatever is that strange thing on your head?

   Whatever happened?

5. You use whatever as a reply showing that you do not care.

   "Would you like coffee, tea, or water?" "Whatever."