\ ˈ(h)wät
, ˈ(h)wət
\
, ˈ(h)wət
\
Definition of what
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a(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)
—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?— William Shakespeare
(2)
archaic
: who sense 1
—used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity of a person
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?
2a
: the thing or things that
What you need is a vacation. What angered us was the tone of the article.
b
: 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
3a
: whatever sense 1a
say what you will
what for
what have you
what if
what of
what's more
what's what
what though
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
: whatnot
novels, plays, short stories, travelogues, and what have you— Haldeen Braddy
1
: what will or would be the result if
2
: what does it matter if
So what if he doesn't like it.
1
: what is the situation with respect to
2
: what importance can be assigned to
: in addition : furthermore
: the true state of things
knows what's what when it comes to fashion
: what does it matter if
What though the rose have prickles, yet 'tis plucked …— William Shakespeare
what
adverbDefinition of what (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: in what respect : how
What does he care?
2
—used to introduce prepositional phrases in parallel construction or a prepositional phrase that expresses cause and usually has more than one object —used principally before phrases beginning with with what with unemployment increasing… what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows, and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk.— William Shakespeare
what
adjectiveDefinition of what (Entry 3 of 3)
1a
—used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of a person, object, or matter What minerals do we export?
b
: how remarkable or striking for good or bad qualities
—used especially in exclamatory utterances and dependent clauses What mountains!Remember what fun we had?What a suggestion!What a charming girl!
2a
: the … that : as much or as many … as
rescued what survivors they found
b(1)
: whatever sense 1a
(2)
: any
ornament of what description soever
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Cite this Entry
“What.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what. Accessed 21 May. 2022.
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More Definitions for what
what
pronoun
\ ˈhwät
, ˈhwət, ˈwät, ˈwət \
, ˈhwət, ˈwät, ˈwət \
Kids Definition of what
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: which thing or things
What happened?
2
: which sort of thing or person
What is this? … "what could be more important than doing unimportant things?"— Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth
3
: that which
Do what you're told.
From what he said, I guessed he was new.
4
—used to ask someone to repeat something You did what?
5
: whatever entry 1 sense 1
Take what you need.
what for
what if
: why entry 1
He seemed in a very bad temper … though I could not tell what for.— Anna Sewell, Black Beauty
1
: what would happen if
What if they find out?
2
: what does it matter if
So what if they do? I don't care.
what
adverbKids Definition of what (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: in what way : how
What does it matter?
2
—used before one or more phrases that tell a cause What with the school and sports, she's busy.
what
adjectiveKids Definition of what (Entry 3 of 3)
1
—used to ask about the identity of a person, object, or matter What books do you read?
2
: how remarkable or surprising
What an idea!
3
: whatever entry 2 sense 1
I don't know what else to say.
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Time Traveler for what
The first known use of what was before the 12th century
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