what

9 entries found for what.
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what[1,pronoun] what[2,adverb] what[3,adjective] but[1,conjunction] hell matter[1,noun] what all what-if whatsit

Main Entry: ¹what
Pronunciation: 'hwät, 'hw&t, 'wät, 'w&t
Function: pronoun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwæt, neuter of hwA who -- more at WHO
1 a (1) -- used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of an object or matter <what is this> <what is wealth without friends> <what does he earn> <what hath God wrought> (2) -- often used to ask for repetition of an utterance or part of an utterance not properly heard or understood <you said what> b (1) archaic : WHO 1 -- used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity of a person (2) -- used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the character, nature, occupation, position, or role of a person <what do you think I am, a fool> <what is she, that all our swains commend her -- Shakespeare> c -- used as an exclamation expressing surprise or excitement and frequently introducing a question <what, no breakfast> d -- used in expressions directing attention to a statement that the speaker is about to make <you know what> e (1) -- used at the end of a question to express inquiry about additional possibilities <is it raining, or snowing, or what> (2) -- used with or at the end of a question usually in expectation of agreement <is this exciting, or what> f chiefly British -- used at the end of an utterance as a form of tag question <a clever play, what>
2 chiefly dialect : ⁴THAT 1, : WHICH 3, : WHO 3
3 a : that which : the one or ones that <no income but what he gets from his writings> -- sometimes used in reference to a clause or phrase that is yet to come or is not yet complete <gave also, what is more valuable, understanding> b : the thing or things that <what you need is a vacation> <what angered us was the tone of the article>
4 a : WHATEVER 1a <say what you will> b obsolete : WHOEVER
- what for
1 : for what purpose or reason : WHY -- usually used with the other words of a question between what and for <what did you do that for> except when used alone
2 : harsh treatment especially by blows or by a sharp reprimand <gave him what for in violent Spanish -- New Yorker>
- what have you : WHATNOT <novels, plays, short stories, travelogues, and what have you -- Haldeen Braddy>
- what if
1 : what will or would be the result if
2 : what does it matter if <so what if he doesn't like it>
- what of
1 : what is the situation with respect to
2 : what importance can be assigned to
- what's more : in addition : FURTHERMORE
- what's what : the true state of things <knows what's what when it comes to fashion>
- what though : what does it matter if <what though the rose have prickles, yet 'tis plucked -- Shakespeare>