whatever

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A thing or person whose actual name is unknown or forgotten.

   • As far as I'm concerned Alec is dead. Whatever they've got in there, that...whatever.
2. 2

   What ever

   What ever; emphatic form of 'what'.

   • Good heavens! Whatever time is it?!
3. 3

   Regardless of the ... that

   Regardless of the ... that; for any ... that.

   • Whatever your choice, there will be consequences.
   • I will stick with you, whatever fate befalls us.
4. ›+ 10 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Any ... that

      Any ... that; of no matter what type or kind that.

      • Whatever doubts I had were quickly dispelled.
      • Write down whatever thoughts come into your mind.
      • So may whatever tempest mars ⁠Mid-ocean, spare thee, sacred bark; ⁠And balmy drops in summer dark Slide from the bosom of the stars.
   2. 5

      Any

      Any; of no matter what type or kind.

      • He must be stopped, whatever the cost.
   3. 6

      Regardless of anything that.

      • Whatever he does, he will still lose the game.
      • Whatever happens, stay calm.
   4. 7

      Anything that

      Anything that; all that.

      • Do whatever works.
      • I’ll do whatever I can.
      • And ſpight of Pride, and in thy Reaſon's ſpight, / One truth is clear; "Whatever Is, is Right."
   5. 8

      Anything

      Anything; thing(s) of unspecified kind, or no matter what kind; sometimes used to indicate that the speaker does not care about options.

      • I don't need any of this stuff, so take whatever.
      • "As far as I'm concerned, Alec is dead. Whatever they've got in there, that — whatever —."
      • There's a pile of stuff on that table; clippings, pamphlets, posters, whatever, that needs to be sorted and filed.
   6. 9

      At all

      At all; in any way; whatsoever.

      • There is no point whatever in going on with this discussion.
      • He is quite unconscious; and, though your presence is a relief to me, you must remember that there is no hope - no hope whatever.
   7. 10

      In what way

      In what way; to what extent.

      • Whatever does it matter now?
   8. 11

      A holophrastic expression used to dismiss something that the speaker doesn't care about,…

      A holophrastic expression used to dismiss something that the speaker doesn't care about, doesn't think important, or doesn't want to consider or discuss any further. Sometimes conceived as an ellipsis of whatever you say, implying feigned deference: whatever you say [apparently must be true].

      • Near-synonyms: meh, so what
      • So you broke it? Whatever! Get a grip.
      • Go brush your teeth. – Whatever!
   9. 12

      Unexceptional or unimportant

      Unexceptional or unimportant; blah.

      • All in all, I guess I shouldn't be complaining, but the rest of the show, imho, was very whatever-ish.
      • She's like so whatever / You can do so much better
   10. 13

       Something whose exact kind or nature is unimportant

       Something whose exact kind or nature is unimportant; a thingy.

       • How would you feel if you're a plant elf, and your daily bonus is tied to the number of whatevers you produce, and then this big clumsy thing barges in and knocks your rate back for the whole week?

The neighborhood

• neighborwhatever butters your biscuit
• neighborwhatever butters your biscuits
• neighborwhatever butters your bread
• neighborwhatever butters your muffin
• neighborwhatever butters your toast
• neighborwhatever creams your twinkie
• neighborwhatever floats your boat
• neighborwhatever humps your camel
• neighborwhatever it takes
• neighborwhatever melts your butter
• neighborwhatever sizzles your bacon
• neighborwhatever tickles your pickle