whatever

Meanings

1. 1
   pron

   Anything or everything that.

   You can order whatever you like from the menu.

2. 2
   pron

   No matter what; regardless of what.

   Whatever he says, don't believe him.

3. 3
   det

   Any kind of, of no matter what type.

   Take whatever books you need for the trip.

4. 4
   pron

   Used to ask a question with surprise, an emphatic form of 'what'.

   Whatever do you mean by that?

From Middle English whatever. By surface analysis, what + ever.

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