what
pronoun, determiner /wɒt/
/wʌt/
Idioms - used in questions to ask for particular information about somebody/something
- What is your name?
- What (= what job) does he do?
- What time is it?
- What kind of music do you like?
- the thing or things that; whatever
- What you need is a good meal.
- Nobody knows what will happen next.
- I spent what little time I had with my family.
- used to say that you think that something is especially good, bad, etc.
- What awful weather!
- What a beautiful house!
Word OriginOld English hwæt, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wat and German was, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin quod.
Idioms
and what not | and what have you
- (informal) and other things of the same type
- It's full of old toys, books and what not.
come what may
- despite any problems or difficulties you may have
- He promised to support her come what may.
get/give somebody what for
- (informal) to be punished/punish somebody severely
- I'll give her what for if she does that again.
or what (informal)
- used to emphasize your opinion
- Is he stupid or what?
- used when you are not sure about something
- I don't know if he's a teacher or what.
- Are we going now or what?
say what?
- (North American English, informal) used to express surprise at what somebody has just said
- ‘He's getting married.’ ‘Say what?’
so what?
- (informal) used to show that you think something is not important, especially after somebody has criticized you for it
- ‘He's fifteen years younger than you!’ ‘So what?’
- So what if nobody else agrees with me?
what? (informal)
- used when you have not heard or have not understood something
- What? I can't hear you.
- used to show that you have heard somebody and to ask what they want
- ‘Mummy!’ ‘What?’ ‘I'm thirsty.’
- used to express surprise or anger
- ‘It will cost $500.’ ‘What?’
- ‘I asked her to marry me.’ ‘You what?’
what about…? (informal)
- used to make a suggestion
- What about a trip to France?
- used to introduce somebody/something into the conversation
- What about you, Joe? Do you like football?
what-d’you-call-him/-her/-it/-them | what’s-his/-her/-its/-their-name
- used instead of a name that you cannot remember
- She's just gone out with old what-d'you-call-him.
what for?
- for what purpose or reason?
- What is this tool for?
- What did you do that for (= why did you do that)?
- ‘I need to see a doctor.’ ‘What for?’
what if…?
- what would happen if?
- What if the train is late?
- What if she forgets to bring it?
what of it?
- (informal) used when admitting that something is true, to ask why it should be considered important
- Yes, I wrote the article. What of it?
what’s all that about? (British English)
(North American English what’s up with that?)
- used to suggest that something you have heard is a stupid idea or does not make sense
- They dropped their best player. What's all that about?
(know) what’s what
- (informal) (know) what things are useful, important, etc.
- She certainly knows what's what.
what’s with somebody?
- (North American English, informal) used to ask why somebody is behaving in a strange way
- What's with you? You haven't said a word all morning.
what’s with something?
- (North American English, informal) used to ask the reason for something
- What's with all this walking? Can't we take a cab?
what with something
- used to list the various reasons for something
- What with the cold weather and my bad leg, I haven't been out for weeks.