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whether
[ hweth-er, weth- ]
conjunction
- (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.
- (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.
- Archaic. (used to introduce a question presenting alternatives, usually with the correlative or. )
pronoun
- which or whichever (of two)?
whether
/ ˈɛðə /
conjunction
- 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
- subordinatingoften foll byor not used to introduce any indirect question
he was not certain whether his friend was there or not
- coordinating another word for either
any man, whether liberal or conservative, would agree with me
- 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
- whether or no
- used as a conjunction as a variant of whether
- under any circumstances
he will be here tomorrow, whether or no
- whether…or or whether…or whetherif on the one hand…or even if on the other hand
you'll eat that, whether you like it or not
determiner
- obsolete.which (of two): used in direct or indirect questions
Usage Note
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of whether1
Idioms and Phrases
- whether or no, under whatever circumstances; regardless:
He threatens to go whether or no.
More idioms and phrases containing whether
In addition to the idiom beginning with whether , also see not know whether .Example Sentences
It’s unclear whether the case has been turned over to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, which has the final say on filing criminal charges.
Lauren’s celebrity and the circumstances of the shooting have sparked debate about whether she was justified to defend her property.
When asked whether Lucy could have been traumatised by the flight or by her transfer to care, the social worker said she believes it is unlikely that alone was to blame.
The Home Office said it could not comment on individual cases and therefore could not clarify whether Ossai and Olasanoye had been removed from the UK.
Questions had been raised about whether Dame Andrea Jenkyns was entitled to be on the electoral roll in the county, one of the criteria for being a candidate.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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