whatever: Meaning and Definition of

what•ev•er

1. anything that (usually used in relative clauses): Whatever you say is all right with me.
2. (used relatively to indicate a quantity of a specified or implied antecedent): Take whatever you like of these.
3. no matter what: Do it, whatever happens.
4. any or any one of a number of things whether specifically known or not: papers, magazines, or whatever.
5. what (used interrogatively): Whatever do you mean?

1. in any amount; to any extent: whatever merit the work has.
2. no matter what: whatever rebuffs he might receive.
3. being what or who it may be: Whatever the reason, he refuses to go.
4. of any kind (used as an intensifier following the noun or pronoun it modifies): any person whatever.