(used to introduce the first of two or more alternatives, and sometimes repeated before the second or later alternative, usually with the correlative or): It matters little whether we go or stay. Whether we go or whether we stay, the result is the same.
(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.
Archaic. (used to introduce a question presenting alternatives, usually with the correlative or).
pronounArchaic.
which or whichever (of two)?
Idioms for whether
whether or no, under whatever circumstances; regardless: He threatens to go whether or no.
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
Instead, the man and woman in the truck wanted to know where the crash site was and whether would I show them.
The 7-Year-Old Plane Crash Survivor’s Brutal Journey Through the Woods|James Higdon|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In February, Slovakia will have a referendum on whether marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage|Tim Mak|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She vowed to repay the money—no official word, however, on whether she ever did that.
Fergie Dives Into Prince Andrew’s Sex Scandal|Tom Sykes|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Investigators will focus on whether the sudden emergency was so extreme that no degree of pilot skill would have helped.
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Whether he gets his full due in popular culture remains to be seen.
Ed Brooke: The Senate's Civil Rights Pioneer and Prophet of a Post-Racial America|John Avlon|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When shall we know whether they are dead or alive, whether strong and healthy or moaning upon a bed in hospital?
Six Women and the Invasion|Gabrielle Yerta
Whether the former gives a dryer product or not, the author cannot decide.
Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel|Samuel William Johnson
On the contrary, it is almost directly favourable, but the question is whether they would venture out at all in such a storm.
A Canadian Heroine, Volume 2|Mrs. Harry Coghill
It depended on him whether the reproach which lay on his religion should be taken away or should be made permanent.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The secret you have whispered to me just now, whether true or false, I shall take to him.
Gabriel Conroy|Bert Harte
British Dictionary definitions for whether
whether
/ (ˈwɛðə) /
conjunction
(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 whetherhe doesn't know whether she's in Britain or whether she's gone to France
(subordinating often foll by or not) used to introduce any indirect questionhe was not certain whether his friend was there or not
(coordinating) another word for either (def. 3) any man, whether liberal or conservative, would agree with me
(coordinating)archaicused to introduce a direct question consisting of two alternatives, the second of which is introduced by or or or whetherwhether does he live at home or abroad
whether or no
used as a conjunction as a variant of whether (def. 1)
under any circumstanceshe will be here tomorrow, whether or no
whether…ororwhether…or whetherif on the one hand…or even if on the other handyou'll eat that, whether you like it or not
determiner, pronoun
obsoletewhich (of two): used in direct or indirect questions
Word Origin for whether
Old English hwæther, hwether; related to Old Frisian hweder, hoder, Old High German hwedar, Old Norse hvatharr, hvarr, Gothic hwathar