WHATEVER


Meaning of WHATEVER in English

I. what ‧ ev ‧ er 1 S1 W1 /wɒtˈevə $ wɑːtˈevər, wʌt-/ BrE AmE determiner , pronoun

1 . any or all of the things that are wanted, needed, or possible:

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.

2 . used 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.

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SPOKEN PHRASES

3 . whatever you do spoken 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.

4 . spoken used 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) spoken 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.

6 . spoken used 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?’

7 . spoken used 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 spoken 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.’

II. whatever 2 BrE AmE adverb

used to emphasize a negative statement SYN whatsoever :

She has shown no interest whatever in anything scientific.

This is just a stupid argument that has nothing whatever to do with your job.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.