whether

Meanings

1. 1
   conj

   Used to introduce a choice or doubt between two or more possibilities.

   I'm not sure whether to stay or leave.

2. 2
   conj

   Used to say that something is true no matter which of two things happens.

   He's coming, whether you like it or not.

From Middle English whether, whather, from Old English hweþer, hwæþer, from Proto-West Germanic *hwaþar, from Proto-Germanic *hwaþeraz, comparative form of *hwaz (“who”). Cognate with North Frisian weđer (“if, whether”), German weder (“neither”), Swedish var (“each, every”), Icelandic hvor (“each of two, which of two”).

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