whether

/ˈwɛðə(ɹ)/

conj 4det 1pron 1

Collocations

ADJ.

correct, hard, little

It's hard whether you're trying to decide between two good job offers.

VERB + WHETHER

answer, decide, depend, depends, doesn't, don't, know, make

It depends whether you prefer coffee or tea in the morning.

WHETHER + NOUN

fortune, he's, holmes, literature, luck, machines, men, twayne

We couldn't tell whether luck or skill had helped him win the competition.

PREP.

on, on, upon

The success of the project depends on whether we can secure funding by next month.

ADV.

intentionally

I didn't know whether he intentionally ignored my messages or just forgot about them.

Definitions

conj

Introduces a simple indirect question (without a correlative).

Whether we'll be on time I'm unsure.

Do you know whether he's coming?

Indicates doubt between possibilities (usually with correlative or).

He chose the correct answer, but whether by luck or by skill I don't know.

I can't decide whether to get divorced now or wait.

Introduces a disjunctive adverbial clause qualifying the main clause (with correlative or).

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

I'll enjoy playing with my friends again, whether we win or lose.

Introduces a direct question between alternatives (often with correlative or).

whether ys it easyer to saye to the sicke of the palsey, thy synnes ar forgeven the: or to saye, aryse, take uppe thy beed and walke?

Whether hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge, [...] Or the reputed sonne of Cordelion?

det

Which of two.

But to whether side fortune would have been partial could not be determined.

Whilst thus the case in doubtfull ballance hong, Vnsure to whether side it would incline,

pron

Which of two.

The debite answered and sayde unto them: whether of the twayne will ye that I lett loosse unto you?

Whether of them twain did the will of his father?

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Whether we'll be on time I'm unsure.

Wiktionary

Do you know whether he's coming?

Wiktionary

He chose the correct answer, but whether by luck or by skill I don't know.

Wiktionary

But to whether side fortune would have been partial could not be determined.

Wiktionary

Whilst thus the case in doubtfull ballance hong, Vnsure to whether side it would incline,

Wiktionary

In the morning sowe thy seede, and in the euening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, whether is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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