whether
|wheth/er|
B1
🇺🇸
/ˈwɛðər/
🇬🇧
/ˈwɛðə/
expressing choice
Etymology
Etymology Information
'whether' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hwæther', where 'hwa' meant 'who' and '-ther' was a comparative suffix.
Historical Evolution
'hwæther' changed from Old English to Middle English as 'wheþer' and eventually became the modern English word 'whether'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'which of two', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'expressing a choice or doubt'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Conjunction 1
used to introduce the first of two or more alternatives, and sometimes repeated before the second or later alternative, usually with the correlative or.
I don't know whether to go or stay.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40