whether
Use Whether in a sentence
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ər, ˈwɛð- 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.
Idioms 4.
which or whichever (of two)?
5.
whether or no, under whatever circumstances; regardless: He threatens to go whether or no.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To whether
00:10
Whether
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
whether (ˈwɛðə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —conj (often foll by or not) | |
| 1. | (subordinating) used to introduce an indirect question or a clause after a verb expressing or implying doubt or choice in order to indicate two or more alternatives, the second or last of which is introduced by or or or whether: he doesn't know whether she's in Britain or whether she's gone to France |
| 2. | used to introduce any indirect question: he was not certain whether his friend was there or not |
| 3. | (coordinating) another word for either : any man, whether liberal or conservative, would agree with me |
| 4. | archaic (coordinating) used to introduce a direct question consisting of two alternatives, the second of which is introduced by or or or whether: whether does he live at home or abroad |
| 5. | whether or no |
| a. used as a conjunction as a variant of whether | |
| b. under any circumstances: he will be here tomorrow, whether or no | |
| 6. | whether…or, whether…or whether if on the one hand…or even if on the other hand: you'll eat that, whether you like it or not |
| —determiner, —pron | |
| 7. | obsolete which (of two): used in direct or indirect questions |
| [Old English hwæther, hwether; related to Old Frisian hweder, hoder, Old High German hwedar, Old Norse hvatharr, hvarr, Gothic hwathar] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
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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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
The question is whether this can be done cheaply enough to be worthwhile.
The question is whether people believe what you say.
Much is still unknown about the mammoth ray species, including whether or not it can swim out to and survive at sea.
What's more, these negative externalities apply whether the uninsured wanted insurance or not.
Idioms & Phrases
Nearby Words
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