what
[ hwuht, hwot, wuht, wot; unstressed hwuh t, wuh t ]
/ ʰwʌt, ʰwɒt, wʌt, wɒt; unstressed ʰwət, wət /
pronoun
(used interrogatively as a request for specific information): What is the matter?
(used interrogatively to inquire about the character, occupation, etc., of a person): What does he do?
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the origin, identity, etc., of something): What are those birds?
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the worth, usefulness, force, or importance of something): What 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): What of it?
how much?: What 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): What luck! What 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): What news? What clothes shall I pack?
whatever: Take what supplies you need.
adverb
to what extent or degree? how much?: What does it matter?
(used to introduce a prepositional phrase beginning with with): What 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): What, no salt?
conjunction
Older Use.
as much as; as far as: He helps me what he can.
Idioms for what
but what, Informal.
but that; but who; who or that … not: Who knows but what the sun may still shine.
Say what? Slang.
(used especially among teenagers) What's that you say? Would you repeat that?
- why: What are you doing that for? You want that package now? What for?
- Older Use: Informal. a punishment or scolding: If he stays out late again, his parents are going to give him what for!
So what? Informal.
(an expression of disinterest, disinclination, or contempt.)
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: What 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.
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
tí
usage note for what
25. See
doubt.
Words nearby what
Words related to what's what
British Dictionary definitions for what's what
what
/ (wɒt, unstressed wət) /
determiner
- used with a noun in requesting further information about the identity or categorization of somethingwhat job does he do?
- (as pronoun)what is her address?
- (used in indirect questions)does he know what man did this?; tell me what he said
- the (person, thing, persons, or things) thatwe photographed what animals we could see
- (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
- for what purpose? why?
- informal 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
- what would happen if?
- 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?
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's what (1 of 2)
what's what
see know what's what.
Idioms and Phrases with what's what (2 of 2)
what
In addition to the idioms beginning with what
- what about
- what do you know
- what do you take me for?
- what for
- what gives
- what goes around comes around
- what have you
- what if
- what in the world
- what is more
- what it takes
- what makes one tick
- what of it?
- what the hell
- what with
also see:
- 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)