what

[ wuht, wot, hwuht, hwot; unstressed wuht, hwuht ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

pronoun

(used interrogatively as a request for specific information):
�� is the matter?
(used interrogatively to inquire about the character, occupation, etc., of a person):
�� does he do?
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the origin, identity, etc., of something):
�� are those birds?
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the worth, usefulness, force, or importance of something):
�� is wealth without friends?
(used interrogatively to request a repetition of words or information not fully understood, usually used in elliptical constructions):
You need what?
(used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something, usually used in elliptical constructions):
�� of it?
how much?:
�� does it cost?
(used relatively to indicate that which):
I will send what was promised.
whatever; anything that:
Say what you please.
Come what may.
the kind of thing or person that:
He said what everyone expected he would. They are just what I was expecting.
as much as; as many as:
We should each give what we can.
the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic clauses):
He went to the meeting and, what was worse, insisted on speaking.
(used to indicate more to follow, additional possibilities, alternatives, etc.):
You know what? Shall we go or what?
(used as an intensifier in exclamatory phrases, often followed by an indefinite article):
�� luck! �� an idea!
British. don't you agree?:
An unusual chap, what?
Nonstandard. that; which; who:
She's the one what told me.

noun

the true nature or identity of something, or the sum of its characteristics:
a lecture on the whats and hows of crop rotation.

adjective

(used interrogatively before nouns):
�� news? �� clothes shall I pack?
whatever:
Take what supplies you need.

adverb

to what extent or degree? how much?:
�� does it matter?
(used to introduce a prepositional phrase beginning with with ):
�� with storms and all, their return was delayed.
Obsolete. for what reason or purpose? why?

interjection

(used in exclamatory expressions, often followed by a question):
��, no salt?

conjunction

Older Use. as much as; as far as:
He helps me what he can.

what

/ wət; wɒt /

determiner

1. used with a noun in requesting further information about the identity or categorization of something
  what job does he do?
2. ( as pronoun )
  what is her address?
3. ( used in indirect questions )
  does he know what man did this?
  tell me what he said
1. the (person, thing, persons, or things) that
  we photographed what animals we could see
2. ( as pronoun )
  bring me what you've written
  come what may
(intensifier; used in exclamations)
what a good book!

adverb

in what respect? to what degree?
what do you care?

pronoun

not_standard.
which, who, or that, when used as relative pronouns
this is the man what I saw in the park yesterday
what about
what do you think, know, feel, etc, concerning?
what for
1. for what purpose? why?
2. a punishment or reprimand (esp in the phrase give ( a person ) what for )
what have you
someone, something, or somewhere unknown or unspecified
cars, motorcycles, or what have you
what if
1. what would happen if?
2. what difference would it make if?
what matter
what does it matter?
what's what informal.
the true or real state of affairs

interjection

informal.
don't you think? don't you agree?
splendid party, what?

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Usage Note

See doubt.

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Usage

The use of are in sentences such as what we need are more doctors is common, although many people think is should be used: what we need is more doctors

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Word History and Origins

Origin of what¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English ��æ��; cognate with German was, Dutch wat, Old Norse hvat, Gothic hwa; akin to Latin quod, Greek ��í

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Word History and Origins

Origin of what¹

Old English ��æ��; related to Old Frisian whet, Old High German hwaz (German was ), Old Norse hvatr

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

Say what? Slang. (used especially among teenagers) ��'s that you say? Would you repeat that?
So what? Informal. (an expression of disinterest, disinclination, or contempt.)
but what, Informal. but that; but who; who or that … not:
Who knows but what the sun may still shine.
what for,
1. why:
  �� are you doing that for?
  You want that package now? �� for?
2. Older Use: Informal. a punishment or scolding:
  If he stays out late again, his parents are going to give him what for!
what have you, other things of the same kind; so forth:
money, jewels, stocks, and what have you.
what if, what would be the outcome if; suppose that:
�� if everyone who was invited comes?
what it takes, something that enables one to achieve success or attain a desired end, as good looks, ability, or money:
There's a young woman who has what it takes to get along in the world.
what's what, Informal. the true situation; all the facts:
It's high time you told him what's what.

More idioms and phrases containing what

come what may
for all one is (what it's) worth
get what's coming to one
it's (what) a zoo
just what the doctor ordered
know the score (what's what)
left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing
no matter (what)
on earth, what
or what?
practice what you preach
sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, what's
so what
where's (what's) the beef?
you know something (you know what)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"�� we're finding is... that wasn't an accurate assumption with what played out."

From

�� surprised his team-mates was the level of discipline he already presented at that age.

From

"In my room at Racing's dormitory – one of my favourite places in the world – I used to sit and think about what it would be like to make it to the first team. But I had this idea stuck in my head that I'd never be like those idols I admired. Diego Milito, Roger Martinez, Gustavo Bou, and 'Licha' Lopez – those are real players," he wrote.

From

And there is a good chance too, given what I hear from the political parties, that your heart might not be pulsating in ecstasy even if the community centre down the road is morphing into a polling station tomorrow.

From

But what I pick up anecdotally – I've just spent the last few days in Lincolnshire, reporting on the race to be the county's first directly elected mayor – matches what the research group More in Common has picked up in focus groups.

From

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

wharves whata

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