First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1whether
pronoun wheth·er \ˈhwe-thər, ˈwe-, (ˌ)(h)wə-\
Definition of WHETHER
1
archaic : which one of the two
2
archaic : whichever one of the two
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Examples of WHETHER
- … we did not indeed know where it was, and so we might get a great deal, or a little, we did not know whether; … —Daniel Defoe, The Adventures of Captain Singleton, 1720
Origin of WHETHER
Middle English, from Old English hwæther, hwether; akin to Old High German hwedar which of two, Latin uter, Greek poteros, Old English hwā who — more at who
2whether
conjunction wheth·er \ˈhwe-thər, ˈwe-, (ˌ)(h)wə-\
: if it is or was true that
: if it is or was better
—used to indicate choices or possibilities
Full Definition of WHETHER
—used as a function word usually with correlative or or with or whether to indicate (1) until the early 19th century a direct question involving alternatives; (2) an indirect question involving stated or implied alternatives <decide whether he should agree or raise objections> <wondered whether to stay>; (3) alternative conditions or possibilities <see me no more, whether he be dead or no — Shakespeare> <seated him next to her whether by accident or design>
— whether or no or whether or not
: in any case <they've only been married a very few weeks, whether or no — Thomas Hardy>
See whether defined for English-language learners
See whether defined for kids
Examples of WHETHER
- That supposes I would have the wisdom to decide what is in fact right and what is wrong, and the humility to consider whether any action I could take would make things better or worse. —P. D. James, The Private Patient, 2008
- In his later years, Turing turned to the question of whether machines could be made to think the central question of artificial intelligence. —Chuck Leddy, Boston Globe, 15 Jan. 2006
- If you tell me that something is a pleasure, I do not know whether it is more like revenge, or buttered toast, or success, or adoration, or relief from danger, or a good scratch. —C. S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism, 1961
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Origin of WHETHER
(see 1whether)
First Known Use: before 12th century
WHETHER Defined for Kids
whether
conjunction wheth·er \ˈhwe-thər, ˈwe-\
Definition of WHETHER for Kids
1
: if it is or was true that <See whether they've left.>
2
: if it is or was better <I wondered whether to stay or go home.>
3
—used to introduce two or more situations of which only one can occur <The game will be played whether it rains or shines.>
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