what if

Etymology
Dates back at least to, of the same meaning.

Adverb

 * 1) Used to introduce a suggestion or proposal for a future event.
 * What if we arrange it for 9:00 instead of 10:00?
 * 1) Used to introduce a speculation about a future event.
 * What if we could learn to get along? What would happen then?
 * 1) Used to introduce a speculation about a past event. Often the basis for counterfactual historical interpretations.
 * What if Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated? How might the Reconstruction of the Southern States have been handled?

Synonyms

 * how about

Derived terms

 * what-if

Translations

 * Czech: co takhle
 * Finnish: mitä jos, entä jos
 * French: et si
 * German: was wenn
 * Greek:
 * Norwegian: hva om
 * Old English: hwæt ġif
 * Portuguese: e se, que tal
 * Spanish: y si
 * Swedish: tänk om


 * Czech: co kdyby
 * Finnish: mitä jos, entä jos
 * French: et si
 * Greek:
 * Hungarian: mi lenne, ha
 * Norwegian: hva om
 * Old English: hwæt ġif
 * Portuguese: e se
 * Swedish: tänk om


 * Czech: co když, co kdyby
 * Finnish: mitä jos, entä jos
 * French: et si
 * Greek:
 * Old English: hwæt ġif
 * Swedish: tänk om