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whatever

pron. · det. · adv. · adj.
US //ˌhwəˈtɛvɝ// UK //wɒtˈɛvɐ// what·ev·er
  1. 1 anything that (pron.)
    A2 Elementary

    anything or everything that happens or exists.

    the whole or any part of what; used as a relative pronoun to refer to anything that occurs or is the case.

    Example

    You can eat whatever you like from the fridge.

    Example

    The contract stipulates that the consultant must provide whatever assistance is necessary to complete the project by the end of the fiscal year.
  2. 2 any kind of (det.)
    B1 Intermediate

    any kind of thing, no matter what it is.

    used to emphasize that the specific type or amount of something does not change the situation.

    Example

    Whatever decision you make, I will support you.

    Example

    Whatever small progress we made during the morning session was quickly undone by the technical failures in the afternoon.
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  1. 3 at all (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    used after a negative word to mean 'at all'.

    used for emphasis after a negative statement or a noun phrase with 'no'; often interchangeable with 'whatsoever'.

    Example

    I have no interest in that subject whatever.

    Example

    The witness claimed to have no knowledge whatever of the financial transactions mentioned in the indictment.
  2. 4 unimpressive (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    not very good or not special.

    describing something as mediocre, unexceptional, or not worth much attention.

    Example

    The movie was just whatever—I wouldn't watch it again.

    Example

    The food at the new bistro was a bit whatever, certainly not worth the high prices they were charging for such basic ingredients.
Origin

From Middle English whatever. By surface analysis, what + ever.

Word family
Idioms4 entries

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