whatever
gb/wˌʌtˈɛvɚ/ us/wˌʌtˈɛvɚ/
A2
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
pronoun
A2
entity
1
anything or everything, no matter what
Used to talk about anything, no matter what it is.
Usage pattern:
[whatever] [verb phrase]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'whatever' with 'whichever', but 'whichever' is used when choosing from a known set, while 'whatever' can be from any set or kind.
Synonyms
anything (More neutral and general, without the slight informal tone 'whatever' can have.)
Antonyms
nothing (Refers to the absence of anything, the opposite of 'anything' or 'everything'.)
Collocations
whatever happens
|whatever reason
|whatever you want
|whatever it takes
Themes
daily life
|general
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You can choose whatever you like from the menu.
- Take whatever you need for the trip.
- Whatever we decide, we must stick to it.
- She said she would support me, whatever happens.
Learner examples
- You can eat whatever you want.
- Take whatever you need from the box.
- I will go wherever and do whatever you ask.
- Choose whatever color you like.
interjection
informal
B1
action
2
expression of not caring or dismissing
Used to say you do not care about something.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this in formal contexts where it can sound rude or dismissive.
Synonyms
meh (Very informal and slang-like; indicates indifference in a casual way.)
Antonyms
exactly (Shows strong agreement or emphasis, opposite in tone to indifference.)
Collocations
oh, whatever
|yeah, whatever
|whatever, let's go
Themes
emotions
|conversation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 'We could go to the beach.' 'Whatever, I don't mind.'
- 'You forgot to call me.' 'Whatever.'
- He just shrugged and said, 'Whatever.'
Learner examples
- 'Do you want pizza?' 'Whatever.'
- She said, 'Whatever,' and left.
- He answered, 'Whatever,' when I asked.
adjective
B1
property
3
of any kind, without limits
Any kind or type; no limits.
Usage pattern:
[whatever] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'whichever', which usually refers to a choice from a specific group.
Synonyms
any (Shorter and more common in many contexts; 'whatever' can sound slightly more emphatic.)
Antonyms
specific (Indicates a limited and defined kind, opposite of unrestricted.)
Collocations
whatever reason
|whatever choice
|whatever method
Themes
general
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We can use whatever method works best.
- For whatever reason, she didn't come.
- They accepted whatever help was offered.
Learner examples
- We can take whatever bus comes first.
- He will eat whatever food I cook.
- You can wear whatever clothes you like.
Grammar
Dictionary form
whatever
IPA
GB/wˌʌtˈɛvɚ/
US/wˌʌtˈɛvɚ/
Syllables & stress
whatever (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: whatever
- Comparative: whateverer
- Superlative: whateverest
Word family
Forms
whateverer
adjective
whateverest
adjective
Core family
what
pronoun A1
Related words
whichever
pronoun B1
Advanced or less common
whatsoever
pronoun B1
Expressions
or whatever
1/ˈɔɹ wˌʌtˈɛvɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
or something similar or approximate
Used after something to mean other similar things or something like that.
Examples
- We could go to the park or whatever.
- Bring some snacks or whatever you think we might need.
whatever it takes
1/wˌʌtˈɛvɚ ˈɪt tˈeɪks/
fixed phrase
do anything needed to succeed
Do anything that is needed to reach a goal.
Examples
- We will do whatever it takes to win.
- She promised to do whatever it takes to protect her family.
whatever floats your boat
1/wˌʌtˈɛvɚ flˈoʊts jˈʊɹ bˈoʊt/
idiom
informal
do what makes you happy
Do what makes you happy or is right for you, even if others don't agree.
Examples
- If you want to wear pajamas all day, whatever floats your boat.
- You like putting ketchup on pizza? Whatever floats your boat.
- He likes pineapple on pizza—whatever floats your boat.
- If you want to work all night, whatever floats your boat.
- He listens to the same song all day, but hey, whatever floats his boat.
whatever floats your boat
2/wˌʌtˈɛvɚ flˈoʊts jˈʊɹ bˈoʊt/
idiom
informal
Do what makes you happy
Do whatever you like or enjoy, even if others don’t agree.
Examples
- You want pineapple on pizza? Whatever floats your boat.
- He spends his weekends birdwatching – whatever floats his boat.