whatever

UK: wɒtˈevə | US: wɑːtˈevər

Definition

  1. pron. 1. anything or everything that

  2. pron. 2. no matter what

  3. adj. 3. of any kind or amount (often used dismissively)

Structure
what <interrogative/relative pronoun>ever <at any time>
Etymology

whatever = what<interrogative/relative pronoun> + ever<at any time>

  • what: From Old English hwæt, meaning "that which" or "the thing that."
  • ever: From Old English ǣfre, meaning "always" or "at any time." Combined with "what," it generalizes or emphasizes indefiniteness.

Etymology Origin:
The word "whatever" emerged in Middle English as a fusion of "what" and "ever," originally used to express open-endedness ("anything that"). Over time, it gained a dismissive tone ("I don’t care") in modern colloquial usage, reflecting a shift from literal to pragmatic meaning.

Examples

  1. Choose whatever you like from the menu.

  2. Whatever happens, stay calm.

  3. She shrugged and said, "Whatever."

  4. He’ll eat whatever is served.

  5. Whatever the reason, we must act now.