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Whether

 - 4 dictionary results

wheth⋅er

  [hweth-er, weth-]
Use Whether in a Sentence
–conjunction
1. (used to introduce the first of two or more alternatives, and sometimes repeated before the second or later alternative, usually with the correlative or): It matters little whether we go or stay. Whether we go or whether we stay, the result is the same.
2. (used to introduce a single alternative, the other being implied or understood, or some clause or element not involving alternatives): See whether or not she has come. I doubt whether we can do any better.
3. Archaic. (used to introduce a question presenting alternatives, usually with the correlative or).
–pronoun Archaic.
4. which or whichever (of two)?
—Idiom
5. whether or no, under whatever circumstances; regardless: He threatens to go whether or no.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE hwether, hwæther, equiv. to hwe- (base of hwā who ) + -ther comp. suffix; c. ON hvatharr, Goth hwathar

Usage note:
See if.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Whether
wheth·er   (hwěth'ər, wěth'-)   
conj.  

  1. Used in indirect questions to introduce one alternative: We should find out whether the museum is open. See Usage Notes at doubt, if.

  2. Used to introduce alternative possibilities: Whether she wins or whether she loses, this is her last tournament.

  3. Either: He passed the test, whether by skill or luck.

pron.   Archaic
Which: "We came in full View of a great Island or Continent, (for we knew not whether)" (Jonathan Swift).

[Middle English, from Old English hwether; see kwo- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

whether 
O.E. hwæðer, hweðer "which of two, whether," from P.Gmc. *khwatharaz (cf. O.S. hwedar, O.N. hvarr, Goth. huaþar, O.H.G. hwedar "which of the two," Ger. weder "neither"), from interrogative base *khwa- "who" (see who) + comparative suffix *-theraz (cf. Skt. katarah, Avestan katara-, Gk. poteros, L. uter "which of the two, either of two," Lith. katras "which of the two," O.C.S. koteru "which"). Its comparative form is either.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

whether

In addition to the idiom beginning with whether, also see not know whether.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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