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?

If wherewithal sounds like three words smashed together, that’s because it is—sort of. Wherewithal combines where and withal, an adverb from Middle English that is itself a combination of with and all. In the past, wherewithal was used as a conjunction meaning "with or by means of which" and as a pronoun meaning "that with or by which." Today, however, it is almost always used as a noun to refer to the means or resources a person or entity has at their disposal. It refers especially to financial resources, but other means such as social influence, ability, and emotional capacity may also be termed as "wherewithal."

Synonyms of wherewithal

Noun

• resources
• finances
• fund
• pocket

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

Those firms have the financial wherewithal to navigate the dispute system, says Kennah Watts, a research fellow at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

The Giants have the wherewithal to pay down some of that money to widen the field and involve contenders with greater financial restraints. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

The job market has bounced back this year from a lackluster 2025, giving consumers the wherewithal to spend. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Where the Padres may be unique is MLB’s collective bargaining agreement unfairly weakening the club’s farm-building and trade-making wherewithal. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026

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

Rhymes for wherewithal

• autosomal
• cholesterol
• ergosterol
• lysosomal
• microsomal
• mycorrhizal
• neanderthal
• resorcinol
• ribosomal
• salbutamol
• aerosol
• alcohol

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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