transcription, транскрипция: [ (h)wɒtevə(r) ]
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
You use whatever to refer to anything or everything of a particular type.
Franklin was free to do pretty much whatever he pleased...
When you’re older I think you’re better equipped mentally to cope with whatever happens...
He’s good at whatever he does.
CONJ
•
Whatever is also a determiner.
Whatever doubts he might have had about Ingrid were all over now.
= any
DET
2.
You use whatever to say that something is the case in all circumstances.
We shall love you whatever happens, Diana...
People will judge you whatever you do...
She runs about 15 miles a day every day, whatever the weather.
CONJ
3.
You use whatever after a noun group in order to emphasize a negative statement.
There is no evidence whatever that competition in broadcasting has ever reduced costs...
I have nothing whatever to say.
= whatsoever
ADV : with brd-neg , n ADV [ emphasis ]
4.
You use whatever to ask in an emphatic way about something which you are very surprised about.
Whatever can you mean?...
= what
QUEST [ emphasis ]
5.
You use whatever when you are indicating that you do not know the precise identity, meaning, or value of the thing just mentioned.
I thought that my upbringing was ‘normal’, whatever that is...
CONJ [ vagueness ]
6.
You say or whatever to refer generally to something else of the same kind as the thing or things that you have just mentioned. ( INFORMAL )
You may like a Malt whisky that is peatier, or smokier, or sweeter, or whatever.
PHRASE : cl / group PHR
7.
You say ‘ whatever you say ’ to indicate that you accept what someone has said, even though you do not really believe them or do not think it is a good idea.
‘We’ll go in your car, Billy.’—‘Whatever you say.’
CONVENTION [ feelings ]
8.
You say whatever you do when giving advice or warning someone about something.
Whatever you do, don’t look for a pay increase when you know the company is going through some difficulty...
PHRASE : PHR cl [ emphasis ]