whatever
whatever Lexical Profile
whatever Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Of any kind or number; used as a determiner before a noun to indicate that the exact choice, nature, or amount does not matter.
"Take whatever books you need from the library shelf for your research project."
• pronoun
Anything or everything that; used to refer to any thing or situation regardless of what it is.
"Do whatever you think is best for the team."
No matter what; regardless of what happens or is the case.
"We are determined to finish the marathon, whatever the weather."
Used for emphasis in questions instead of 'what', typically to express surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
"Whatever possessed them to paint the historic building bright pink?"
• interjection
Used informally to express indifference, reluctance to argue, or boredom regarding what was just said.
""You still need to clean your room before dinner." "Whatever, I will do it later.""
• adverb
At all; of any kind (used after a noun phrase in negative or interrogative clauses for emphasis).
"There is no scientific evidence whatever to support that claim."
Word Nuance & Usage
While standard and neutral as a relative pronoun or determiner, its standalone use as an interjection is highly informal and often perceived as dismissive, apathetic, or disrespectful.
• Rhymes for whatever
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as a compound of 'what' and 'ever' (from Old English 'hwæt' and 'æfre'), used to generalize or intensify the interrogative pronoun.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.