whether
Americanconjunction
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(used to introduce the first of two or more alternatives, and sometimes repeated before the second or later alternative, usually with the correlativeor ).
It matters little whether we go or stay. Whether we go or whether we stay, the result is the same.
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(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.
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Archaic. (used to introduce a question presenting alternatives, usually with the correlativeor. )
pronoun
idioms
conjunction
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(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
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used to introduce any indirect question
he was not certain whether his friend was there or not
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(coordinating) another word for either
any man, whether liberal or conservative, would agree with me
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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
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used as a conjunction as a variant of whether
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under any circumstances
he will be here tomorrow, whether or no
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if on the one hand…or even if on the other hand
you'll eat that, whether you like it or not
determiner
Usage
See if.
Etymology
Origin of whether
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hwether, hwæther, equivalent to hwe- (base of hwā who ) + -ther comparative suffix; cognate with Old Norse hvatharr, Gothic hwathar
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On this particular day, he’s debating whether to go to Boston to film content with Scotland’s Tartan Army ahead of their World Cup Match or sit tight at his coastal compound, called Ferry Views.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2026
"South Wales Police is carrying out a review of exhibits to assess whether there is any potential for further forensic investigation," the force said.
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
Traders may have a better sense of whether or not the IPO market is slowing down during the week of June 29, when several deals are expected to price.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
Next, they looked for chemical signatures that could reveal whether living organisms had played a role in creating the structures.
From Science Daily • Jun. 26, 2026
I watched him go, debating whether I could get away with going back into my dorm and hiding in bed.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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.
