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)
—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
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?
2
a
: 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 completegave also, what is more valuable, understanding
3
a
: whatever sense 1a
say what you will
b
obsolete
: whoever
4
chiefly dialectal
: that entry 4 sense 1, which sense 3, who sense 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
William Shakespeare3
obsolete
: why
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
: the … that : as much or as many … as
rescued what survivors they found
b(1)
(2)
: any
ornament of what description soever
Phrases
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
New Yorker
: whatnot
novels, plays, short stories, travelogues, and what have you—Haldeen Braddy
Haldeen Braddy1
: 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
William ShakespeareExamples of what in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Time, 23 Aug. 2017
Kate Shepherd, Chicago Reader, 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, 18 July 2017
IndyStar: What stands out to you in Matt Balis’ workouts?
—Laken Litman, Indianapolis Star, 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, 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, 13 July 2017
In what ways does this distinct setting influence the story?
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 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, 7 July 2017
Francona has been undergoing tests to determine what has been causing lightheadedness and increasing his heart rate.
—New York Times, 5 July 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Read his full remarks from the Phoenix rally below:
TRUMP: What a crowd.
—Time, 23 Aug. 2017
Adjective
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, 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, 18 July 2017
IndyStar: What stands out to you in Matt Balis’ workouts?
—Laken Litman, Indianapolis Star, 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, 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, 13 July 2017
In what ways does this distinct setting influence the story?
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 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, 7 July 2017
Francona has been undergoing tests to determine what has been causing lightheadedness and increasing his heart rate.
—New York Times, 5 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“What.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
a
: which thing or things
what happened?
b
: which sort of thing or person
what is this?
what are they—doctors?
2
—used to ask one to repeat something said but not properly heard or understood
you said what?
3
—used to express surprise or excitement
what, no breakfast?
4
—used to direct attention to something that the speaker is about to say
you know what?
5
: that which
do what you're told
6
: whatever entry 1 sense 1
say what you will
what
2 of 3 adverb1
: in what way : how
what does it matter
2
—used before one or more phrases that tell a cause
what with school and sports, she kept busy
what
3 of 3 adjective1
a
—used to ask about the identity of a person, object, or matter
what books do you read
b
: how remarkable or surprising
what an idea
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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