wherewithal

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conjunction where·with·al \ ˈhwer-wi-ˌt͟hȯl , ˈwer- , -ˌthȯl \

Definition of wherewithal

:wherewith

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Origin and Etymology of wherewithal

where + ²withal

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First Known Use: 1534

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wherewithal

pronoun

Definition of wherewithal

:wherewith

First Known Use of wherewithal

1583

wherewithal

noun

Definition of wherewithal

:means, resources; specifically :money

didn't have the wherewithal for an expensive dinner

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Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence

A project as big as this requires a lot of financial wherewithal.
He doesn't have the wherewithal to finish what he started.

Recent Examples of wherewithal from the Web

Additionally, the people most likely to be found dead are the elderly, the infirm and the people who were isolated from others — along with folks who didn’t have the means or wherewithal to flee.

— Washington Post, "Harvey death toll surpasses 30; more fatalities expected," 31 Aug. 2017
Additionally, the people most likely to be found dead are the elderly, the infirm and the people who were isolated from others — along with folks who didn’t have the means or wherewithal to flee.

— Washington Post, "Harvey death toll surpasses 30; more fatalities expected," 31 Aug. 2017
Additionally, the people most likely to be found dead are the elderly, the infirm and the people who were isolated from others — along with folks who didn’t have the means or wherewithal to flee.

— juan lozano, The Seattle Times, "Grim reality in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey: More dead," 30 Aug. 2017
Some of that wherewithal will now be tested after the state began a phaseout of Tangible Personal Property (TPP) tax reimbursements, beginning with about $2.3 million in budget cuts in the coming year and then $750,000 a year after that.

— thomas jewell, cleveland.com, "Solon City Schools attain #1 ranking in nation on Niche.com," 16 Aug. 2017
Saying that Walmart had the wherewithal to withstand Amazon's ascent, Goldman upgraded Walmart shares to buy and added it to its conviction list.

— phil wahba, Fortune, "Why Goldman Thinks Walmart Can Hold Its Own Against Amazon," 14 July 2017
And, in turn, a data profile would develop for each individual with the gradual accrual of information, giving the coaches the wherewithal to make sound, logical decisions that would keep the team in optimal condition.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Inside the technology giving Alabama a competitive edge," 2 July 2017
Those with the determination — and the wherewithal — to turn a balcony, terrace or backyard into a functional outdoor area, however, say the investment is well worth it for a breath of air in a crowded city.

— michelle higgins, New York Times, "Creating a Garden Oasis in the City," 23 June 2017
Many of these athletes don’t have the financial wherewithal to get into college but are admitted because of their athletic skill.

— mike bianchi, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UCF kicker should make a YouTube video of how lucky he is to be getting a free education," 14 June 2017

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

Did You Know?

Wherewithal has been with us in one form or another since the 16th century. It comes from "where" and "withal" (meaning "with"), and it has been used as a conjunction meaning "with or by means of which" and as a pronoun meaning "that with or by which." These days, however, it is almost always used as a noun referring to the means or resources one has at one's disposal - especially financial resources, that is, money.