whatever

what·ev·er

W5113700 (wŏt-ĕv′ər, wŭt-, hwŏt-, hwŭt-)pron.1. Everything or anything that: Do whatever you please.2. What amount that; the whole of what: Whatever is left over is yours.3. No matter what: Whatever happens, we'll meet here tonight.4. Which thing or things; what: Whatever does he mean?5. Informal What remains and need not be mentioned; what have you: Please bring something to the party—pretzels, crackers, whatever.adj.1. Of any number or kind; any: Whatever requests you make will be granted.2. All of; the whole of: She applied whatever strength she had left to the task.3. Of any kind at all: No campers whatever may use the lake before noon.interj. Informal Used to indicate indifference to or scorn for something, such as a remark or suggestion: We're having pizza tonight.—Whatever. I don't care.Usage Note: Both whatever and what ever may be used in sentences such as Whatever (or What ever) made her say that? Critics have occasionally objected to the one-word form, but many respected writers have used it. The same is true of the forms whoever, whenever, wherever, and however. In adjectival uses, however, only the one-word form is used: Take whatever (not what ever) books you need. · When a clause beginning with whatever is the subject of a sentence, no comma should be used: Whatever you do is right. In most other cases, a comma is needed: Whatever you do, don't burn the toast. · When a noun followed by a restrictive clause is preceded by whichever or whatever, it is regarded as incorrect to introduce the clause with that in formal writing: whatever book that you want to look at; one should write instead Whatever book you want to look at will be sent to your office or Whichever book costs less (not that costs less) is fine with us. See Usage Notes at however, that.

whatever

(wɒtˈɛvə; wət-) pron1. everything or anything that: do whatever he asks you to. 2. no matter what: whatever he does, he is forgiven. 3. informal an unknown or unspecified thing or things: take a hammer, chisel, or whatever. 4. an intensive form of what, used in questions: whatever can he have said to upset her so much?. determineran intensive form of what: use whatever tools you can get hold of. adj (postpositive) absolutely; whatsoever: I saw no point whatever in continuing. interjinformal an expression used to show indifference or dismissal

what•ev•er

(ʰwʌtˈɛv ər, ʰwɒt-, ʰwət-, wʌt-, wɒt-, wət-)

pron. 1. anything that (usu. used in relative clauses): Do whatever you like. 2. (used relatively to indicate a quantity of a specified or implied antecedent): Take whatever you like of these. 3. no matter what: Do it, whatever happens. 4. any or any one of a number of things whether specifically known or not: papers, magazines, or whatever. 5. what (used interrogatively): Whatever do you mean? adj. 6. in any amount; to any extent: whatever merit the work has. 7. no matter what: whatever rebuffs you might receive. 8. being what or who it may be: Whatever the reason, she refuses to go. 9. of any kind (used as an intensifier following the noun or pronoun it modifies): any person whatever. interj. 10. (used to indicate indifference to a state of affairs, situation, previous statement, etc.) [1300–50]

whatever

Whatever can be a pronoun, a determiner, or an adverb.

1. used as a pronoun or determiner

You use whatever as a pronoun or determiner to refer to anything or everything of a particular kind.

I read whatever I could find about the course.You can buy whatever ingredients you need from the market.

You can also use whatever to say that something is true in all possible circumstances.

Whatever happens, I'll be back by five.Whatever type of garden you have, you can have fun growing your own vegetables.2. used as an adverb

You use whatever after nothing or after a noun phrase beginning with no to emphasize that there is nothing of a particular kind.

He knew nothing whatever about it.There is no scientific evidence whatever to support this view.3. used in questions

Whatever is sometimes used in questions to express surprise.

Whatever is the matter?Whatever do you want to go up there for?

However, many people consider this form to be incorrect, and it is better to write what ever as two separate words.

What ever does it mean?4. used as an informal response

In informal conversation, people sometimes use whatever as a response, to show that they do not care or have no opinion about something. This use can sound rude.

'Shall we get a pizza tonight?' 'Whatever. I don't mind.''You really should try to be more organized with your schoolwork.' 'Yeah, whatever.'

Thesaurus

Adj.

whatever - one or some or every or all without specification; "give me any peaches you don't want"; "not any milk is left"; "any child would know that"; "pick any card"; "any day now"; "cars can be rented at almost any airport"; "at twilight or any other time"; "beyond any doubt"; "need any help we can get"; "give me whatever peaches you don't want"; "no milk whatsoever is left"any, whatsoeversome - quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity; "have some milk"; "some roses were still blooming"; "having some friends over"; "some apples"; "some paper"

Translations

任何事任何的凡是...的事物无论什么

what

(wot) pronoun, adjective1. used in questions etc when asking someone to point out, state etc one or more persons, things etc. What street is this?; What's your name/address / telephone number?; What time is it?; What (kind of) bird is that?; What is he reading?; What did you say?; What is this cake made of?; `What do you want to be when you grow up?' `A doctor.'; Tell me what you mean; I asked him what clothes I should wear.什么2. (also adverb) used in exclamations of surprise, anger etc. What clothes she wears!; What a fool he is!; What naughty children they are!; What a silly book this is! （表示惊讶）什么，瞧 relative pronoun1. the thing(s) that. Did you find what you wanted?; These tools are just what I need for this job; What that child needs is a good spanking! （关系代词）所...的事物或人 2. (also relative adjective) any (things or amount) that; whatever. I'll lend you what clothes you need; Please lend me what you can. （关系代词）凡是...的事物 whatˈever relative adjective, relative pronoun any (thing(s) or amount) that. I'll lend you whatever (books) you need.凡是...的事物 adjective, pronoun no matter what. You have to go on, whatever (trouble) you meet; Whatever (else) you do, don't say that!无论什么 adjective whatsoever; at all. I had nothing whatever to do with that.无论什么 pronoun (also what ever) used in questions or exclamations to express surprise etc. Whatever will he say when he hears this? （用于疑问句或表示惊讶）任何的 ˈwhatnot noun such things. He told me all about publishing and whatnot.诸如此类ˈwhat's-his/-her/-its etc -name noun used in referring vaguely to a person or thing. Where does what's-his-name live?某某ˌwhatsoˈever (-sou-) adjective at all. That's nothing whatsoever to do with me. 无论什么（用于加强语气） know what's what to be able to tell what is important. 有鉴别能力what about?1. used in asking whether the listener would like (to do) something. What about a glass of milk?; What about going to the cinema? （征求对做事的意见时用）要不要？ 2. used in asking for news or advice. What about your new book?; What about the other problem? （征求对某件事的看法时用）怎么样？ what … for1. why(?). What did he do that for?为什么2. for what purpose(?). What is this switch for?为何目的what have you and similar things; and so on. clothes, books and what have you.等等what if? what will or would happen if ...?. What if he comes back?倘若...将会怎么样what … like? used when asking for information about someone or something. `What does it look like?' `It's small and square.'; `What's her mother like?' `Oh, she's quite nice.'; We may go – it depends (on) what the weather's like.像什么样子what of it? used in replying, to suggest that what has been done, said etc is not important. `You've offended him.' `What of it?'那又怎么样what with because of. What with taking no exercise and being too fat, he had a heart attack.由于...原因

whatever

→ 任何事zhCN

whatever

what(ever) will be, will be

Let whatever was meant or fated to happen come to pass; there is no use in regretting or resisting what one cannot control. I'm really hoping that I get this job, but whatever will be, will be. I'm afraid there's no more the doctors can do for your wife. At this point, what will be, will be.See also: will

whatever it takes

Anything necessary to complete a task or goal, usually with a sense of reckless abandon. I will do whatever it takes to get this promotion—even making sure that co-workers' blunders get back to the boss. Their team is more skilled than ours, so we'll have to do whatever it takes to win this game.See also: take, whatever

what must be, must be

Whatever is meant or predestined to happen will happen; there is no use in regretting or resisting what one cannot control. I'm really hoping that I get this job, but what must be, must be.See also: must, what

what (one) says goes

One has the ultimate authority among a particular group; you must do what one says. I don't care what your supervisor said. I'm the boss here, so what I say goes. I'm leaving Jane in charge, so what she says goes, OK?See also: goes, say, what

whatever floats (one's) boat

Whatever makes one happy; whatever interests or excites (one). Most often heard as "whatever floats your boat." A: "What do you want for dinner?" B: "Whatever floats your boat, I'm not even hungry." Katelyn does whatever floats her boat without worrying about what other people think of her.See also: boat, float, whatever

whatever turns (one) on

Whatever excites, interests, or is pleasurable to one (is acceptable). The phrase alludes to sexual arousal, and so is often intended to be somewhat humorous when used in a more general way. It is sometimes used as a sarcastic comment implying that one's interest is unusual. A: "Do you mind if we listen to some jazz?" B: "Sure, whatever turns you on." A: "I know it's weird, but I really love to lick the butter wrapper." B: "Whatever turns you on, Haley!"See also: on, turn, whatever

whatever (one) says goes

One has the ultimate authority among a particular group; you must do what one says. I don't care whatever your supervisor said. I'm the boss here, so whatever I say goes. I'm leaving Jane in charge, so whatever she says goes, OK?See also: goes, say, whatever

whatever you do

Do anything else except for the thing specified. Used to warn someone not to do something lest they incur negative consequences. Well, whatever you do, don't tell Mom about your plan or she'll freak out! Just don't let the boss find out, whatever you do.See also: whatever

whatever you say

I accept what you say, and I'm not going to argue with you. Usually implies that one doesn't really agree with the other person, but is going to do it to avoid a conflict. A: "Don't worry about the auditors, just run the numbers like I told you." B: "OK, whatever you say, boss." A: "I told you, my parents let me borrow the car whenever I want." B: "Whatever you say."See also: say, whatever

for whatever it's worth

Whether or not it's significant or useful. Said of a statement that one acknowledges may not be considered helpful by the listener. For whatever it's worth, I think you should confront your boss if you're unhappy with how he's treating you.See also: whatever, worth

or whatever

A flippant way of indicating something else similar to what was mentioned. Yeah, I'm sure there will be security or whatever there, but it should still be easy enough to sneak in some booze. There are cool clubs and bars or whatever in the main cities, but if you want to see the really interesting stuff, you need to get out into the countryside.See also: whatever

Whatever happened to (someone or something)?

A phrase used to ask about someone or something that one has not seen or spoken to recently. Whatever happened to Bill Collins? Do you remember him? He was such a nice guy. A: "Whatever happened to fanny packs?" B: "Oh, you'll start seeing them again—they're back in style apparently." Hey Mom, whatever happened to my Moon Shoes? I hope you didn't throw them out!See also: happen, whatever

What must be, must be.

and What(ever) will be, will be.Prov. If something is fated to happen, you cannot stop it from happening.; You cannot foretell the future. Harry hoped for many months that he would regain the use of his legs after the accident, but it soon became apparent that he would not. "What must be, must be," he thought resignedly. I'd like to win the contest, but I can't be sure that I will. What will be, will be. The doctors have done all they can. Whatever will be, will be.See also: must, what

Whatever turns you on.

1. Inf. Whatever pleases or excites you is okay. Mary: Do you mind if I buy some of these flowers? Bill: Whatever turns you on. Mary: I just love to hear a raucous saxophone play some smooth jazz. Bob: Whatever turns you on, baby. 2. . Inf. a comment implying that it is strange to get so excited about something. (Essentially sarcastic.) Bob: I just go wild whenever I see pink gloves on a woman. I don't understand it. Bill: Whatever turns you on. Jane: You see, I never told anybody this, but whenever I see snow falling, I just go sort of mushy inside. Sue: Weird, Jane, weird. But, whatever turns you on.See also: on, turn, whatever

for all one is worth

1. To the utmost of one's power or ability, as in Coming onto the homestretch she ran for all she was worth. [Second half of 1800s] 2. for all or for what it's worth ; for whatever it's worth. Even though it may not be important or valuable. For example, Here's my opinion, for what it's worth, or For whatever it's worth I've decided to take the train. [Late 1800s] See also: all, one, worth

or whatever

Whatnot, or any other thing that might be mentioned, as in They've stocked wine, beer, soda, or whatever, or You can stay or leave, or whatever. [Early 1900s] See also: whatever

whatever you ˈsay

(spoken) used to agree to somebody’s suggestion because you do not want to argue: ‘Just do it now!’ ‘Whatever you say.’See also: say, whatever

what/whatever somebody says, ˈgoes

(informal, often humorous) when a particular person in authority gives an order, this order must be obeyed: Sarah wanted the kitchen painted green, and whatever she says, goes. ♢ Don’t argue with me. I’m the boss here and what I say goes.See also: goes, somebody, what, whatever

or whatˈever

(spoken) or something of a similar type: It’s the same in any situation: in a prison, hospital or whatever.See also: whatever

whatˈever you do

used to warn somebody not to do something under any circumstances: Don’t tell Paul, whatever you do!See also: whatever

whatever

mod. I don’t care; it doesn’t matter which choice; whatever you want. Q: I have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, kiwi, and lime. Which do you want? A: Oh, whatever.

whatever turns you on

and whatever floats your boat tv. whatever excites you or interests you. (Main entry was said originally about sexual matters.) I can’t stand that kind of music, but whatever turns you on. Ketchup on hot dogs! Yuck! But whatever floats your boat. See also: on, turn, whatever

whatever floats your boat

verbSee whatever turns you onSee also: boat, float, whatever

whatever

In any case; anything goes; as you wish. One of the most recent additions to clichédom, this adverb is used very loosely. David Rosenfelt has it in a character’s conversation with a waitress: “‘. . . I can remember a time when the bananas and walnuts would have been inside the pancakes.’ ‘Whatever,’ she says, demonstrating a disregard for cultural history. ‘You want coffee?’ ‘Not until after the Olympics,’ I say. ‘Whatever.’” (Bury the Lead, 2004). Uttering “whatever” can be irksome, and even incendiary, as well as nonchalant. A New Yorker piece by Nick Paumgarten (July 11 and 18, 2005) reports that actor Russell Crowe, who assaulted a hotel clerk for failing to help him place a telephone call to Australia, did so after the clerk, responding to a threat, replied “Whatever.” The 1995 film Clueless, about Beverly Hills teenagers of the 1990s, popularized the “whatever” gesture, made with holding up the thumb and forefinger of both hands to form the letter W. Perhaps the most chilling use of the word came at the court martial of Private First Class Lynndie R. England, who told the judge that when pressed to join in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, she responded “OK. Whatever” (quoted by James Carroll, Boston Globe, May 10, 2005). See also the quotation under twenty-four/seven.

whatever

what·ev·er

whatever

what•ev•er

whatever

what

whatever

whatever

what(ever) will be, will be

whatever it takes

what must be, must be

what (one) says goes

whatever floats (one's) boat

whatever turns (one) on

whatever (one) says goes

whatever you do

whatever you say

for whatever it's worth

or whatever

Whatever happened to (someone or something)?

What must be, must be.

Whatever turns you on.

for all one is worth

or whatever

whatever you ˈsay

what/whatever somebody says, ˈgoes

or whatˈever

whatˈever you do

whatever

whatever turns you on

whatever floats your boat

whatever

whatever

Synonyms for whatever

adj one or some or every or all without specification

Synonyms

Related Words