: any of various other things that might also be mentioned
paper clips, pins, and whatnot
1
: a nondescript person or thing
2
: a light open set of shelves for bric-a-brac
Examples of whatnot in a Sentence
Pronoun
You can use the container to hold paper clips, pins, and whatnot.
the drawer is full of spare pens, paper clips, stray elastics and whatnot
Noun
the store sells an array of whatnots for the do-it-yourself plumber
Recent Examples on the Web
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Whoever’s desk this ultimately lands on should make quick work of it; the administration will still get its claim that liberal judges are running roughshod over its policies or whatnot, but at least some separation of powers and rule of law will be preserved.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
So, the official divorce decree has been delayed because of me starting in Sacramento, and per the terms of agreement, there are some nuances and whatnot.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 June 2025
Lots of suggestions for cures and whatnot, all from well-meaning people.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whatnot
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Noun
Starting from rankings, earnings, cuts, wins, distance and whatnot!
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Whoever’s desk this ultimately lands on should make quick work of it; the administration will still get its claim that liberal judges are running roughshod over its policies or whatnot, but at least some separation of powers and rule of law will be preserved.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
So, the official divorce decree has been delayed because of me starting in Sacramento, and per the terms of agreement, there are some nuances and whatnot.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 June 2025
Lots of suggestions for cures and whatnot, all from well-meaning people.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whatnot
Cite this Entry
“Whatnot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whatnot. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whatnot
1 of 2 pronoun
what·not
ˈhwät-ˌnät 
ˈhwət-,
ˈwät-,
ˈwət-
: any of various other things that might also be mentioned
hummingbirds and hawks and owls and whatnot
whatnot
2 of 2 noun
: a light open set of shelves
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