What

Pronoun

(used interrogatively as a request for specific information)

What is the matter?

(used interrogatively to inquire about the character, occupation, etc., of a person)

What does he do?

(used interrogatively to inquire as to the origin, identity, etc., of something)

What are those birds?

(used interrogatively to inquire as to the worth, usefulness, force, or importance of something)

What is wealth without friends?

(used interrogatively to request a repetition of words or information not fully understood, usually used in elliptical constructions)

You need what?

(used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something, usually used in elliptical constructions)

What of it?

how much?

What does it cost?

(used relatively to indicate that which)

I will send what was promised.

whatever; anything that

Say what you please. Come what may.

the kind of thing or person that

He said what everyone expected he would. They are just what I was expecting.

as much as; as many as

We should each give what we can.

the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic clauses)

He went to the meeting and, what was worse, insisted on speaking.

(used to indicate more to follow, additional possibilities, alternatives, etc.)

You know what? Shall we go or what?

(used as an intensifier in exclamatory phrases, often fol. by an indefinite article)

What luck! What an idea!

British . don't you agree?

An unusual chap, what?

Nonstandard . that; which; who

She's the one what told me.

Noun

the true nature or identity of something, or the sum of its characteristics

a lecture on the whats and hows of crop rotation.

Adjective

(used interrogatively before nouns)

What news? What clothes shall I pack?

whatever

Take what supplies you need.

Adverb

to what extent or degree? how much?

What does it matter?

(used to introduce a prepositional phrase beginning with with )

What with storms and all, their return was delayed.

Obsolete . for what reason or purpose? why?

Interjection

(used in exclamatory expressions, often fol. by a question)

What, no salt?

Conjunction

Older Use . as much as; as far as

He helps me what he can.

Idioms

but what

Informal . but that; but who; who or that not

Who knows but what the sun may still shine.

Say what? Slang . (used esp. among teenagers) What's that you say? Would you repeat that?

So what? Informal . (an expression of disinterest, disinclination

or contempt.)

what for

why

What are you doing that for?

a punishment or scolding.

what have you

other things of the same kind; so forth

money, jewels, stocks, and what have you.

what if

what would be the outcome if; suppose that

What if everyone who was invited comes?

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.

what's what

Informal . the true situation; all the facts

It's high time you told him what's what.

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