what

[hwuht, hwot, wuht, wot; unstressed hwuh t, wuh t] /ʰwʌt, ʰwɒt, wʌt, wɒt; unstressed ʰwət, wət/
pronoun
1.
(used interrogatively as a request for specific information):
What is the matter?
2.
(used interrogatively to inquire about the character, occupation, etc., of a person):
What does he do?
3.
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the origin, identity, etc., of something):
What are those birds?
4.
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the worth, usefulness, force, or importance of something):
What is wealth without friends?
5.
(used interrogatively to request a repetition of words or information not fully understood, usually used in elliptical constructions):
You need what?
6.
(used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something, usually used in elliptical constructions):
What of it?
7.
how much?:
What does it cost?
8.
(used relatively to indicate that which):
I will send what was promised.
9.
whatever; anything that:
Say what you please. Come what may.
10.
the kind of thing or person that:
He said what everyone expected he would. They are just what I was expecting.
11.
as much as; as many as:
We should each give what we can.
12.
the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic clauses):
He went to the meeting and, what was worse, insisted on speaking.
13.
(used to indicate more to follow, additional possibilities, alternatives, etc.):
You know what? Shall we go or what?
14.
(used as an intensifier in exclamatory phrases, often followed by an indefinite article):
What luck! What an idea!
15.
British. don't you agree?:
An unusual chap, what?
16.
Nonstandard. that; which; who:
She's the one what told me.
noun
17.
the true nature or identity of something, or the sum of its characteristics:
a lecture on the whats and hows of crop rotation.
adjective
18.
(used interrogatively before nouns):
What news? What clothes shall I pack?
19.
whatever:
Take what supplies you need.
adverb
20.
to what extent or degree? how much?:
What does it matter?
21.
(used to introduce a prepositional phrase beginning with with):
What with storms and all, their return was delayed.
22.
Obsolete. for what reason or purpose? why?
interjection
23.
(used in exclamatory expressions, often followed by a question):
What, no salt?
conjunction
24.
Older Use. as much as; as far as:
He helps me what he can.
Idioms
25.
but what, Informal. but that; but who; who or that … not:
Who knows but what the sun may still shine.
26.
Say what?, Slang. (used especially among teenagers) What's that you say? Would you repeat that?
27.
So what?, Informal. (an expression of disinterest, disinclination, or contempt.)
28.
what for,
  1. why:
    What are you doing that for?
  2. a punishment or scolding.
29.
what have you, other things of the same kind; so forth:
money, jewels, stocks, and what have you.
30.
what if, what would be the outcome if; suppose that:
What if everyone who was invited comes?
31.
what it takes, something that enables one to achieve success or attain a desired end, as good looks, ability, or money:
There's a young woman who has what it takes to get along in the world.
32.
what's what, Informal. the true situation; all the facts:
It's high time you told him what's what.
Origin
before 900; Middle English; Old English hwæt; cognate with German was, Dutch wat, Old Norse hvat; akin to Gothic hwa, Latin quod, Greek tí
Usage note
24. See doubt.
British Dictionary definitions for what for

what

/wɒt; unstressed wət/
determiner
1.
  1. used with a noun in requesting further information about the identity or categorization of something: what job does he do?
  2. (as pronoun): what is her address?
  3. (used in indirect questions): does he know what man did this?, tell me what he said
2.
  1. the (person, thing, persons, or things) that: we photographed what animals we could see
  2. (as pronoun): bring me what you've written, come what may
3.
(intensifier; used in exclamations): what a good book!
adverb
4.
in what respect? to what degree?: what do you care?
pronoun
5.
(not standard) which, who, or that, when used as relative pronouns: this is the man what I saw in the park yesterday
6.
what about, what do you think, know, feel, etc, concerning?
7.
what for
  1. for what purpose? why?
  2. (informal) a punishment or reprimand (esp in the phrase give (a person) what for)
8.
what have you, someone, something, or somewhere unknown or unspecified: cars, motorcycles, or what have you
9.
what if
  1. what would happen if?
  2. what difference would it make if?
10.
what matter, what does it matter?
11.
(informal) what's what, the true or real state of affairs
interjection
12.
(informal) don't you think? don't you agree?: splendid party, what?
Usage note
The use of are in sentences such as what we need are more doctors is common, although many people think is should be used: what we need is more doctors
Word Origin
Old English hwæt; related to Old Frisian whet, Old High German hwaz (German was), Old Norse hvatr
Word Origin and History for what for

what

pron.

Old English hwæt, from Proto-Germanic *khwat (cf. Old Saxon hwat, Old Norse hvat, Danish hvad, Old Frisian hwet, Dutch wat, Old High German hwaz, German was, Gothic hva "what"), from PIE *qwod, neuter singular of *qwos "who" (see who).

Meaning "what did you say?" is recorded from c.1300; as an interrogative expletive at the end of sentences it is first recorded 1785, common early 20c. in affected British speech. Or what as an alternative end to a question is first attested 1766. "To give one what for is to respond to his remonstrant what for? by further assault" [Weekley]. The phrase is attested from 1873. What's-his-name for "unspecified person" is attested from 1690s; variant whatsisface is first recorded 1967. What's up? "what is happening?" first recorded 1881.

Slang definitions & phrases for what for

what for

noun phrase

A drubbing, either physical or verbal; a thrashing; severe punishment: a sadistic desire to watch the big shots get what for

Related Terms

give someone what for

[1873+; fr the startled question what for? why? asked by someone being assaulted]


what

Related Terms

say what


Idioms and Phrases with what for

what for

.
For what purpose or reason, why, as in I know you're going to England, but what for? [ Mid-1700s ]
.
A punishment or scolding, as in You'll get what for from Mom if she catches you smoking, or The teacher really gave Bud what for. [ ; second half of 1800s ]

what

also see: