whatever1 determiner, pronounwhatever2 adverb
whateverwhat‧ev‧er1 /wɒtˈevə $ wɑːtˈevər, wʌt-/ ●●● S1 W1 determiner, pronoun 
Longman Language Activatorways of saying 'and others' at the end of a list
British /etc. American an abbreviation for et cetera used at the end of a short list to mean 'and others of a similar kind'. When you say etc you pronounce it 'et cetera': · Near the exit was a stand selling sandwiches, hot dogs etc.· Please bring pens, pencils, rulers etc to the exam.
informal used when you expect someone to guess what the other things are: · When you leave, make sure you lock the doors and windows, turn off the heating and so on.and so on and so forth: · Jake does odd jobs around the house - mowing the lawn, cleaning the windows and so on and so forth.
informal used when someone is making a choice and can have what they want: · Please help yourselves to tea or coffee or whatever.· The canteen isn't bad, you can have a salad, some soup and whatever.· If I buy him a giftvoucher for his birthday he can get what he likes, a record or whatever.
British and other things of a similar kind: · You could spend the day doing the garden, cleaning the windows and suchlike.· A fertilizer ideal for trees, bushes and suchlike.
any of a group of things use this to talk about each one of the things in a group, when it is not important to say exactly which one: · You can buy the magazine at any good bookstore.· This remote control can be used with any television set.any of the/these/my/them etc: · I told Debbie she could borrow any of my books.· So, do you like any of your new classes?
everything that you may want, need etc, especially when there is a very big choice: · I was going to throw all these things away anyway, so please take anything you like.· Do you know anything about computers?· Paul goes to all the auctions in the area looking for anything in Art Deco style.anything else: · The one thing he wanted more than anything else was a glass of cold water.anything at all: · If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anything at all.
anything at all -- use this to emphasize that it does not matter which object, action, idea etc: · "Can I have a cake, Mummy?" "You can have whatever you want, darling."· We'll do whatever we can to help.· You should find whatever you need in the cupboard under the sink.· Here was an audience eager to listen to whatever I had to say.
informal you say you name it when you are telling someone that there is everything that they want, or need, or can think of: · World-class museums, great theater, outdoor sports -- you name it, this city's got it.· I had so many different jobs while I was a student: waiter, sales clerk, bartender -- you name it.
extremely determined to do something, even if it is wrong to be willing to do anything, even if it is cruel, dishonest, or illegal, in order to get what you want: · He's prepared to go to any lengths to find the men who killed his daughter.· Lawrence would stop at nothing to achieve power and wealth.
informal to be extremely determined to do something, especially something dangerous or something that may have a bad result: be hellbent on doing something: · Bob's hellbent on going through with the plan, even though it's sure to end in disaster.be hellbent on revenge/destruction: · Gangs of youths rampaged through the streets, hellbent on destruction.
if you do something whatever the cost , you are determined to do it even if it causes a lot of problems or you have to spend a lot of money, use a lot of effort etc: · I want him back here as soon as possible, whatever the cost.· They are determined to win back the disputed territories, whatever the cost in human terms.
spoken use this to emphasize that you are determined to do something in spite of any problems or difficulties: · I'll be there in time. Don't worry. Come hell or high water.· Come hell or high water, he'd never missed a race and he wasn't going to miss this one.
someone who is ruthless is so determined to get what they want, especially in business or politics, that they do not care if they harm other people: · You should be careful of Ian - he can be pretty ruthless if anyone gets in his way.· a ruthless and pitiless dictator
to shake your head as a way of saying no use this when you want to make it clear that nothing will change a situation, your intention etc: no matter how much/many: · I'm determined to go to New York, no matter how much it costs.no matter what/who/when etc: · Paul always calls me every day, no matter where he is.· No matter what position he plays, he'll be a great asset to the team.no matter how good/small/hot etc: · I never win, no matter how hard I try.· Dad was determined to get to the truth, no matter how long it took.
use this when the fact that something is very big, good etc does not change a situation: however much/many: · However much I try, I just don't understand him at all.however however adj/adv: · I could never watch any movie more than once, however good it is.· Each one of us, however old or however young, is a valuable member of society.
used when it is not important what happens, who does something etc, because it does not change the situation or your intention: · "I don't care," Carrie cried, "whatever anyone says!"· We can take a taxi or the bus, whichever comes first.· He's a capable man. I'm sure he can deal with whatever problems arise.· Don't forget, it's your job to support your leader, whoever it is.whichever of somebody/something: · Whichever of the cars you choose, I'm sure you'll be very pleased.
use this when what is done is not affected by different situations, problems etc: regardless of: · The rate of contribution to the pension plan is the same for all employees, regardless of age.regardless of whether/what/who etc: · Many people stick with their banks regardless of whether they offer the best deal.carry on/continue regardless: · It may rain by the end of the day, but we plan to carry on regardless.
use this when the same thing happens in every case without being affected by facts such as age, size, time, or position: · The job is open to anyone with the right qualifications, irrespective of their age.· Justice for all, irrespective of race or class, is everyone's right.irrespective of what/where/who etc: · All children should have access to the latest technology, irrespective of where they live or how much their parents earn.
use this to say that something should be ignored because it does not affect the situation or your intention: never mind that!: · "How do you know so much about Jake anyway?" "Never mind that!"never mind something: · I want this wedding to be perfect, never mind the cost.never mind what/why/when etc: · Never mind what Jalal says, Peter is a trusted member of our community.never mind that: · Never mind that it's late. I need to talk to you now.
use this when you are determined to do something whatever happens: · I'll be there come what may. I promise.· Some people are getting out of the country fast, but my cousin's family has decided to stay, come what may.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
‘Did you know she’s dyed her hair orange?’ ‘Whatever next?’COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’ll still be friends, whatever happens. You can spend the money however you please.
‘Did you know she’s dyed her hair orange?’ ‘Whatever next?’ We’ll still be friends, whatever happens. You can spend the money however you please.· Now he can do whatever he wants.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► what became of ... ? whatever will become of ... ?► whatever floats your boat
1any or all of the things that are wanted, needed, or possible: - And she always did whatever she wanted, which was mostly enjoy herself and ignore her homework.
- Dare they call her bluff and just let her get on with whatever she thought she could do to inconvenience them?
- Eurydice said her daughter could do whatever she wanted to do.
- I eat whatever I want and run three miles a day.
- I know that I had no intention of stopping the procedure, whatever anyone said or did to influence me.
- In my stupidity-or whatever you want to call it-I tried to move around to his left.
- The hon. Gentleman can make whatever he wants of it, but it will still not save his seat.
- You think you should get whatever you want right away.
- Whatever you do, don't tell Judy that I spent so much money.
- But Tess, in answer to your question, whatever you do, don't tell your future husband anything about your past experience.
- But, whatever they do, says Quinn, they do not determine strategies.
- Gallagher understood that, whatever he did, he would violate his principles.
- I just go to a movie and come home, so whatever they do, they should stick to it.
- I tried, also, to accompany and chronicle whatever we did together with talk.
- Lawyers must be prepared to undergo scrutiny and be held accountable for whatever they do.
- The twenty fifth anniversary may be special but for some fans whatever they do the band just can't go wrong.
- This is the result of my experience and your money and a touch of genius that follows me whatever I do.
- And the same thing applies to people who have collections of quite valueless things: baskets, keys, hats or whatever.
- And then they go and tell their friends that it's either good or bad or whatever.
- I was feeling like I had to wrap things up and get dinner for the kids, or whatever.
- It favors close-up pictures and whatever can be seen in the immediate foreground.
- Learning about landscape design, you know - using natural features, hills or rivers or whatever - and improving on it.
- Politics, sexuality or whatever, must be a framework to build on, not a rigid cage which restricts change.
- There was a swift flow of air through the room, and whatever it was moved and sat down on the chair.
- But I sometimes wonder whatever happened to that little Mr Linley.
- For them, energy comes in joules, and force in newtons, but whatever happened to ergs and dynes?
- Gee, George, whatever happened to letting the people decide?
- He believed that Money Advice was here to stay, whatever happened to the economy.
- Night-thoughts ... But then whatever happened to Summerchild did happen.
- So whatever happened to Open Standards?
- Down the golden road, London and the world, life, whatever you like.
- I said they can call themselves anything they like, and I would still not engage one.
- I wished I could go back to the other way, when we could just do whatever we liked.
- Once you're online, you can use whatever you like.
- That is to say put anything you like on them, but don t be surprised if some one else reads them.
- They can do whatever they like provided that it is what the Treasury has already agreed.
- We can ask him whatever we like.
- "I want fifty copies of this by 3:00." "Anything you say, Mrs. DeVere."
- Both Dames Elizabeth and Martha were deaf, so whatever you said or how you said it would not cause any alarm.
- But children know that parents are anxious whatever they say.
- Her one, clear thought was that, whatever he said, she would not be convinced by him.
- I know that I had no intention of stopping the procedure, whatever anyone said or did to influence me.
- If you are a teacher I do not ask you to believe or take on trust anything I say.
- She opened her mouth and then closed it again, because, whatever she said, he would have a patient answer.
- There's something baldly there about him which inclines me, like Kevin, to distrust anything he says.
- Zsa Zsa was enchanting - whatever I said to her, she'd just giggle and become even more indiscreet.
Help yourself to whatever you want. The children were allowed to do whatever they liked. He’ll be ready to accept whatever help he can get. I am willing to pay whatever price you ask.2used to say that it is not important what happens, what you do etc because it does not change the situation: Whatever I suggest, he always disagrees. The building must be saved, whatever the cost. If you are unable to attend the interview, for whatever reason, you should inform us immediately.SPOKEN PHRASES3 whatever you do used to tell someone that it is very important that they do a particular thing, or do not do it: Don’t miss the train, whatever you do. Whatever you do, slow down and take your time.4used to say that you do not know the exact meaning of something, or the exact name of someone or something: The doctor says she’s got fibrositis, whatever that is. Why don’t you invite Seb, or whatever he’s called, to supper?5... or/and whatever (else) used after mentioning one or two things to mean other things of the same kind: You could put an advert in some magazine, journal, newspaper, or whatever.6used when asking a question to emphasize that you are surprised or slightly angry about something: Whatever can he mean? ‘Did you know she’s dyed her hair orange?’ ‘Whatever next?’7used as a reply to say that you do not care what is done or chosen, or that the exact details of something do not matter: ‘What flavour do you want? Strawberry, vanilla ...?’ ‘Whatever.’ ‘It was Monday, not Tuesday.’ ‘Whatever.’8 whatever you say/think/want used to tell someone that you agree with them or will do what they want, especially when you do not really agree or want to do it: ‘How about camping, just for a change?’ ‘OK, whatever you want.’ ‘I think we’d better discuss this with your parents.’ ‘Whatever you think best.’whatever1 determiner, pronounwhatever2 adverb
whateverwhatever2 ●●● S2 adverb EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- She gave no sign whatever of what she was thinking.
- It's just that it shows no sign whatever of happening.
- My life has been so short that I really know nothing whatever.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’ll still be friends, whatever happens. You can spend the money however you please.
We’ll still be friends, whatever happens. You can spend the money however you please.· Now he can do whatever he wants.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB· The energy trickling through was her only comfort, the knowledge that whatever happened would only be the pain of mortal flesh.· Paula Jones, whatever happened between you and the governor, you never had a chance.· Gee, George, whatever happened to letting the people decide?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► what became of ... ? whatever will become of ... ?► whatever floats your boat
used to emphasize a negative statement SYN whatsoever: - But I sometimes wonder whatever happened to that little Mr Linley.
- For them, energy comes in joules, and force in newtons, but whatever happened to ergs and dynes?
- Gee, George, whatever happened to letting the people decide?
- He believed that Money Advice was here to stay, whatever happened to the economy.
- Night-thoughts ... But then whatever happened to Summerchild did happen.
- So whatever happened to Open Standards?
- Down the golden road, London and the world, life, whatever you like.
- I said they can call themselves anything they like, and I would still not engage one.
- I wished I could go back to the other way, when we could just do whatever we liked.
- Once you're online, you can use whatever you like.
- That is to say put anything you like on them, but don t be surprised if some one else reads them.
- They can do whatever they like provided that it is what the Treasury has already agreed.
- We can ask him whatever we like.
- "I want fifty copies of this by 3:00." "Anything you say, Mrs. DeVere."
- Both Dames Elizabeth and Martha were deaf, so whatever you said or how you said it would not cause any alarm.
- But children know that parents are anxious whatever they say.
- Her one, clear thought was that, whatever he said, she would not be convinced by him.
- I know that I had no intention of stopping the procedure, whatever anyone said or did to influence me.
- If you are a teacher I do not ask you to believe or take on trust anything I say.
- She opened her mouth and then closed it again, because, whatever she said, he would have a patient answer.
- There's something baldly there about him which inclines me, like Kevin, to distrust anything he says.
- Zsa Zsa was enchanting - whatever I said to her, she'd just giggle and become even more indiscreet.
She has shown no interest whatever in anything scientific. This is just a stupid argument that has nothing whatever to do with your job.