Whatever, used on its own as a reply, means I don't care or if you say so, usually with an annoyed or indifferent tone, sometimes rude. It's different from the ordinary whatever meaning no matter what. Don't use it with a teacher, colleague or stranger, in an essay, or in IELTS Speaking; I don't mind or OK, I'll think about it sound neutral instead.
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Whatever. (a reply on its own); whatever, + statement; whatever you say
- You should really apologise to her. — Whatever, she'll get over it.
- You'll regret skipping the gym again. — Whatever, I'll go tomorrow.
- He told me to slow down. Whatever, I know what I'm doing.
What changed
First versionWould you like tea or coffee? — Whatever.
RevisionWould you like tea or coffee? — I don't mind.
A one-word whatever in reply to a simple question sounds as if you don't care about the question or the person asking it. A more polite reply is I don't mind, and if you still want to keep the word whatever, whatever's easiest works better.
This dismissive whatever is different from the ordinary whatever meaning no matter what: Whatever you decide, I'll support you — there it's neutral and polite, with no hint of dismissiveness.
Your turn
My classmate keeps saying I should study more. I sigh and say, '___, I'll be fine.'
Show the answer
Whatever — The sigh before the line shows that the speaker just wants to brush off the advice — that's exactly what whatever conveys. No way would be a firm absolutely not or a surprised I can't believe it!, not indifference to what someone just said.
Describe a situation where you're tired of someone's advice, and respond to it dismissively using whatever.
Dad has told me three times to get travel insurance. Whatever, nothing ever goes wrong on short trips.
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