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> 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>