Whatever

Whatever is a versatile English word used as a determiner, a pronoun, or an interjection, and less commonly as an adverb in certain constructions. As a determiner, it introduces an indefinite noun phrase meaning “any.” For example: Please bring whatever food you have. As a pronoun, it can stand for “anything” or denote “no matter what” in a clause: Do whatever you want. As an interjection, it expresses casual indifference or dismissal: Whatever.

In broader use, whatever often functions as an all-encompassing reference, signaling openness to any option or outcome. It can introduce subordinate clauses that specify conditions or choices, such as Whatever you decide, I will support you. The phrase led to common expressions like whatever it takes, which conveys willingness to do all that is required, regardless of the obstacles. In informal speech, the interjective form Whatever is frequent, sometimes signaling annoyance or a shrug.

Etymology and history: Whatever descends from what + so + ever, with the older form whatsoever common in earlier periods. The contracted form whatever emerged in Middle English and became widespread in Modern English. The word has a long history in literature, including uses of the longer variant whatsoever, and has remained a flexible tool for expressing indifference, breadth of reference, or conditional generalization.

See also: whatsoever; indefinite pronouns; relative pronouns.