Idioms for what

Origin of what

before 900; Middle English; Old English hwæt; cognate with German was, Dutch wat, Old Norse hvat; akin to Gothic hwa, Latin quod, Greek

usage note for what

25. See doubt.

Definition for what (2 of 2)

what's
[ hwuhts, hwots, wuhts, wots; unstressed hwuh ts, wuh ts ]
/ ʰwʌts, ʰwɒts, wʌts, wɒts; unstressed ʰwəts, wəts /

contraction of what is or what has: What's the matter? What's been done?
contraction of what does: What's she do for a living?

usage note for what's

British Dictionary definitions for what

Word Origin for what

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

usage for what

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

Idioms and Phrases with what

what