Definition of "What"

Definition of what

1a (1) —used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of an object or matter 

• what is this

• what is wealth without friends

• what does he earn

• what hath God wrought

 

(2) —often used to ask for repetition of an utterance or part of an utterance not properly heard or understood 

• you said what

b (1) archaic : who 1 —used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity of a person 

(2) —used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the character, nature, occupation, position, or role of a person 

• what do you think I am, a fool

• what is she, that all our swains commend her
•  —William Shakespeare

c —used as an exclamation expressing surprise or excitement and frequently introducing a question 

• what, no breakfast

d —used in expressions directing attention to a statement that the speaker is about to make 

• you know what

e (1) —used at the end of a question to express inquiry about additional possibilities 

• is it raining, or snowing, or what

 

(2) —used with or at the end of a question usually in expectation of agreement 

• is this exciting, or what

f chiefly British —used at the end of an utterance as a form of tag question 

• a clever play, what

2chiefly dialectal : 4that 1, which 3, who 3

3a : that which : the one or ones that 

• no income but what he gets from his writings

 —sometimes used in reference to a clause or phrase that is yet to come or is not yet complete 

• gave also, what is more valuable, understanding

b : the thing or things that 

• what you need is a vacation

 

• whatangered us was the tone of the article

4a : whatever 1a 

• say what you will

b obsolete : whoever

— what for

1: for what purpose or reason : why —usually used with the other words of a question between what and for 

• what did you do that for

except when used alone

2: harsh treatment especially by blows or by a sharp reprimand

• gave him what for in violent Spanish
• —New Yorker

— what have you

: whatnot

• novels, plays, short stories, travelogues, and what have you
•  —Haldeen Braddy

— what if

1: what will or would be the result if

2: what does it matter if 

• so what if he doesn't like it

— what of

1: what is the situation with respect to

2: what importance can be assigned to

— what's more

: in addition : furthermore

— what's what

: the true state of things 

• knows what's what when it comes to fashion

— what though

: what does it matter if

• what though the rose have prickles, yet 'tis plucked
•  —William Shakespeare