Main Entry:

¹what

Pronunciation:

\ˈhwät, ˈhwət, ˈwät, ˈwət\

Function:

pronoun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English hwæt, neuter of hwā who — more at who

Date:

before 12th century

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> fchiefly British —used at the end of an utterance as a form of tag question <a clever play, what>2chiefly dialect : ⁴that 1, which 3, who 33 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> bobsolete : 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 alone2: 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 if2: what does it matter if <so what if he doesn't like it>

— what of

1: what is the situation with respect to2: 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>