wherewithal

1 of 3

noun

where·​with·​al ˈ(h)wer-wi-ˌt͟hȯl  -ˌthȯl 

: means, resources

specifically : money

didn't have the wherewithal for an expensive dinner

wherewithal

2 of 3

conjunction

: wherewith

wherewithal

3 of 3

pronoun

: wherewith

Did you know?

Wherewithal 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 a person has at one's disposal—especially financial resources.

Synonyms

Noun

• bankroll
• coffers
• exchequer
• finances
• fund
• pocket
• resources

Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence

Noun

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 on the Web

Noun

But public defenders say many of their clients do not have the wherewithal to complete the paperwork required to apply for the program in a timely manner. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 18 July 2024

At the moment, the Heat do not have the wherewithal to offer either of those two a standard deal while remaining below the highly punitive second tax apron. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2024

Also, unless the right to match explicitly guarantees WBD be able to perform new terms, the NBA is under no obligation to only seek deals that a current rightsholder has the wherewithal to match. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 July 2024

Among Democrats, only about three-fifths thought Biden had the mental wherewithal to do the job. —Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction

where + withal entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1809, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

1534, in the meaning defined above

Pronoun

1583, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

wherewithal

noun

where·​with·​al

ˈhwe(ə)r-wit͟h-ˌȯl,

ˈhwa(ə)r-,

ˈwe(ə)r-,

ˈwa(ə)r-,

-with-

: wealth sense 1, resources

especially : money sense 1b

the wherewithal to buy a house