wherewithal

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

Definition of wherewithal

: wherewith

First Known Use of wherewithal

1583

wherewithal

noun where·with·al

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

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
The Friends can show the city the wherewithal and the will to take dead-aim at success.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Presidio champions will step up and try to lease historic course", 1 June 2017
To have the desire and the wherewithal to enjoy drinking without getting drunk.

— eric alperin and deborah stoll, latimes.com, "Behind the bar: Why it's not OK to drink too much and talk too loudly at this L.A. bartender's bar", 31 May 2017
Human nature and prosperity will either stop this silliness in its tracks or force a very long period of adapting to this new paradigm shift — and then only if their financial wherewithal is crushed in the same time frame.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "The Prediction", 12 May 2017
Comey was among the few senior members of the national-security apparatus with the independence and wherewithal to ensure the Russia investigation remained on track.

— michael r. bloomberg, The Denver Post, "After James Comey’s firing, justice must be served", 12 May 2017
And does Davis have the financial wherewithal to pay the debt service for a potential $650M (or more, if there are over-runs) loan?

— tim kawakami, The Mercury News, "Could the latest Las Vegas complications finally nudge the Raiders to Santa Clara, at least temporarily?", 31 Jan. 2017
But people without financial wherewithal cannot afford to do either.

— larry sand, Orange County Register, "School choice: The backbone of our country", 26 Jan. 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.