whether

Intentionally or not. Whether by accident or design, those high school kids have really created a solid, sustainable business. By accident or design, that new horror movie isn't even scary. Maybe they wanted to ensure it had a PG rating. All that matters is that you somehow solved the problem—who cares if it was by accident or design?

Don't know what something is or how to use it. This phrase is typically used to describe unrecognizable food. What's this purple mess in the pot here? I don't know whether to eat it or rub it on. A: "Molly isn't much of a cook, huh?" B: "Definitely not. What even is this? I don't know whether to eat it or rub it on." Geez, this doesn't look too appetizing. I don't know whether to eat it or rub it on.

To be in a state of confusion or chaos, especially due to being very busy or overwhelmed. I have so many appointments today, I don't know if I'm coming or going anymore. Lisa has been so busy getting everything ready for the party, she doesn't know if she's coming or going.

To be in a state of confusion or chaos. Primarily heard in Australia. You can't have Miller take over the project—he doesn't know whether he's Arthur or Martha on the best of days! I have so many appointments today, I don't know whether I'm Arthur or Martha.

To be in a state of confusion or chaos, especially due to being very busy or overwhelmed. Lisa has been so busy getting everything ready for the party, she doesn't know whether she's coming or going. I have so many appointments today, I don't know whether I'm coming or going anymore.

To be in an acute state of shock, exasperation, or disbelief due to an unexpected tragic or unfortunate event. When the team lost the championship in the final seconds of the game, we didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. I just found out all of my applications were rejected. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Regardless of whether (something happens or is the case). Whether or no you're a member, you still have to pay admission for the special exhibit. I'm going whether or no you come with me.

Regardless of whether (something happens or is the case). Whether or not you're a member, you still have to pay admission for the special exhibit. I'm going whether or not you come with me.

Used to form a polite request for something. I wonder whether I could trouble you for a pen and some paper. I would like to write a letter to my family back home. A: "Good evening, sir. You rang the call bell?" B: "Yes. I was wondering whether you would mind carrying these bags up to our room for us."

Rur. do not know what to do with something. (Used to describe a kind of food one does not recognize or that looks unusual.) (Also with doesn't. Don't used with all persons is folksy.) That sure was a fancy dessert Mary served. I didn't know whether to eat it or rub it on. What kind of sauce is this? I don't know whether to eat it or rub it on!

Fig. to be very confused. I'm so busy that I don't know if I'm coming or going. You look as if you don't know whether you're coming or going.

either if something is the case or if something is not the case; one way or the other. I'll drive to New York tomorrow whether or not it rains. I'm going to the mall whether you come with me or not.

see under coming or going.

Also, whether or no. Regardless of whether, no matter if. For example, Whether or not it rains, we're going to walk to the theater, or She plans to sing at the wedding, whether or no anyone asks her to. The negative element in these constructions may also follow the subject and verb, as in I have to attend, whether I want to or not. [c. 1600]

If you don't know whether you are coming or going, you feel very confused and are unable to think clearly. We worked 16 hours a day. By the end of the week we didn't know whether we were coming or going. The truth is I'm so excited that I hardly know whether I'm coming or going.

Regardless of circumstances.

I am amused and upset at the same time. This expression is a modern version of several much earlier sayings. Chaucer wrote, “She ys fals [is false]; and ever laughynge, with oon eye, and that other wepynge,” indicating more hypocrisy rather than being torn by conflicting feelings. This version became a proverb, “Cry with one eye and laugh with the other” (in Ray’s 1678 and Fuller’s 1732 collections). Another version, “to laugh and cry both with a breath”—that is, to laugh and cry at the same time—was so put by Shakespeare (in Venus and Adonis) and also recorded in the above-named proverb collections. The modern cliché dates from the nineteenth century.