whatever
|what-ev-er|
🇺🇸
/wətˈɛvər/
🇬🇧
/wɒtˈɛvə/
anything or everything
Etymology
'whatever' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'hwæt' meaning 'what' and 'æfre' meaning 'ever'.
'hwæt' and 'æfre' combined in Middle English to form 'whateuer', which eventually became the modern English word 'whatever'.
Initially, it meant 'anything at all', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
used to emphasize a lack of restriction in referring to any thing or amount, no matter what.
You can choose whatever color you like.
Synonyms
Adverb 1
used for emphasis instead of 'what' in questions, typically expressing surprise or confusion.
Whatever do you mean by that?
Synonyms
Pronoun 1
anything or everything that; no matter what.
Take whatever you need from the fridge.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35