What does what-if mean?
What-if means (informal) A speculation as to what might have happened if something else had happened earlier..
What-if
Pronunciation varies by accent · noun
Meaning
(informal) A speculation as to what might have happened if something else had happened earlier..
Definitions by Sense
- (informal) A speculation as to what might have happened if something else had happened earlier.
- (informal) A hypothetical case or situation, usually evoked by a sense of anxiety or uncertainty.
- (informal) To speculate about the consequences of something that could have happened.
Example Sentences
Each man was running over the what ifs in his mind.
Synonyms for what-if
Antonyms for what-if
Related Words
Word Forms
- what-ifs
- what-iffing
- what-iffed
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for what-if?
The closest synonym depends on the sentence and intended sense.
What is the opposite of what-if?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use what-if in a sentence?
Each man was running over the what ifs in his mind.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.