what

pronoun \ ˈhwät , ˈhwət , ˈwät , ˈwət \

Definition of what

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
—William 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 dialectal : 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
—William Shakespeare

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Origin and Etymology of what

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

what

adverb

Definition of what

1 obsolete : why

2 : in what respect : how

what does he care

3 —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

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Recent Examples of what from the Web

Read his full remarks from the Phoenix rally below: TRUMP: What a crowd.

— Time, "President Trump Ranted For 77 Minutes in Phoenix. Here’s What He Said," 23 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'what.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of what

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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what

adjective

Definition of what

1 a —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

2 a (1) : whatever 1a

(2) : any

ornament of what description soever

b : the … that : as much or as many … as

rescued what survivors they found

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Recent Examples of what from the Web

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who's still traveling in Europe, says that schools will open September 5, no matter what Rauner does about funding.

— kate shepherd, Chicago Reader, "News / Did You Read __________? A teenager who disappeared in the 1970s identified as a victim of John Wayne Gacy, and other Chicago news," 20 July 2017
Senior Matt Boyle, the biggest newcomer on offense as Jack Sznajder's successor at quarterback, knows what a Cooney brings to the table.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Brothers Ben and Jack continue the Cooney legacy for Benet in football," 18 July 2017
IndyStar: What stands out to you in Matt Balis’ workouts?

— laken litman, Indianapolis Star, "Q&A with Notre Dame AD: 'No reason we can't compete for national championship'," 14 July 2017
The costumes were incredible, and a highlight for the kids was guessing what kinds of insects were performing.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Jumping, juggling bugs captivate children at 'Ovo'," 14 July 2017
Customers over 65 years old will be asked additional questions to catch any discrepancies between what they were told by contractors and what contractors submit to the lender.

— ron hurtibise, Sun-Sentinel.com, "New PACE financing firm to launch in South Florida," 13 July 2017
In what ways does this distinct setting influence the story?

— patricia shannon, Southern Living, "Our First Official Beach Read of Summer," 11 July 2017
If our medieval predecessors felt it important enough to create and save these texts centuries ago, there’s no telling what discoveries could be revealed under the light of the Manuscript Illuminator.

— ken krebs, Scientific American Blog Network, "Peering beneath the Surface of Ancient Manuscripts," 7 July 2017
Francona has been undergoing tests to determine what has been causing lightheadedness and increasing his heart rate.

— New York Times, "Lionel Messi and Barcelona Agree on Extension," 5 July 2017

First Known Use of what

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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WHAT Defined for English Language Learners

what

pronoun

Definition of what for English Language Learners

—used to ask for information about someone or something
—used to describe a question
—used to express surprise, excitement, etc.

what

adverb

Definition of what for English Language Learners

: in what way

what

adjective

Definition of what for English Language Learners

—used to ask someone to indicate the identity or nature of someone or something
—used to say that someone or something is remarkable for having good or bad qualities
—used to refer to an amount that someone has, uses, etc.

WHAT Defined for Kids

what

pronoun \ ˈhwät , ˈhwət , ˈwät , ˈwət \

Definition of what for Students

1 : which thing or things

What happened?

2 : which sort of thing or person

What is this?

What are they, doctors?

… “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 : ¹whatever 1

Take what you need.

— what for

: ¹why

He seemed in a very bad temper … though I could not tell what for.
—Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

— what if

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

adverb

Definition of what for Students

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

adjective

Definition of what for Students

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 : ²whatever 1

I don't know what else to say.

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