n.
Pronunciation: ' hwät, ' hw ə t, ' wät, ' w ə t
Function: pronoun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwæt, neuter of hw ā who ― more at WHO
Date: before 12th century
1 a (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 ― 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 >
2 chiefly dialect : 4 THAT 1 , WHICH 3 , WHO 3
3 a : 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> < what angered us was the tone of the article>
4 a : 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 ― Shakespeare>