no matter
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Shortened from earlier it makes no matter, it is no matter.
Interjection
[edit]- (dated or US) It doesn't matter, it's unimportant, it doesn't make any difference.
- It seems that Doug's coat has gone missing. Oh, well, no matter: we can always buy a new one, now can't we?
- "Did you fail your exam?" "Yes, but no matter. I'll just study harder next time."
Translations
[edit]it's unimportant
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Preposition
[edit]- Irrespective of, regardless of, in spite of.
- As an experienced geologist, he can identify any rock no matter where he finds it.
- No matter what the excuse, you must not be late.
- We can fix your plumbing no matter the problem.
- I'll pick you up at the airport on Friday no matter when your flight arrives.
- 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 46:
- No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.
- 2011 December 15, Marc Higginson, “Shamrock Rovers 0-4 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport:
- The result in Greece meant Tottenham could not progress, no matter how many goals they scored against Rovers but, after making nine changes to his starting line-up, Harry Redknapp will be pleased with the performance of his fringe players.
Usage notes
[edit]- Almost always followed by a wh-word: who, what, which, how, when, where, how many, etc. Can also be followed by if. (The phrase no matter that has a different meaning.)
- The wh-word introduces a clause, possibly in a form reduced by ellipsis.
- I recruit talent, no matter how experienced (the talent is).
- I fire the lazy, no matter who (they may be related to).
- We will meet the deadline, no matter how soon (it may be).
Translations
[edit]regardless of
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