1what

pronoun \ˈhwät, ˈhwət, ˈwät, ˈwət\

Definition of WHAT
1. 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> <whathath 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. 2chiefly dialect : 4 THAT 1, WHICH 3, WHO 3
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> <what angered us was the tone of the article>
4. 4a : WHATEVER 1a <say what you will>b obsolete : WHOEVER
what for
1. 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. 2: harsh treatment especially by blows or by a sharp reprimand <gave him what
for in violent Spanish — New Yorker>
what have you
1. : WHATNOT <novels, plays, short stories, travelogues, and what have you —
Haldeen Braddy>
what if
1. 1: what will or would be the result if
2. 2: what does it matter if <so what if he doesn't like it>
what of
1. 1: what is the situation with respect to
2. 2: what importance can be assigned to
what's more
1. : in addition : FURTHERMORE
what's what
1. : the true state of things <knows what's what when it comes to fashion>
what though
1. : what does it matter if <what though the rose have prickles, yet 'tis plucked —
Shakespeare>

2
what
adverb
Definition of WHAT
1. 1obsolete : WHY
2. 2: in what respect : HOW <what does he care>
3. 3—used to introduce prepositional phrases in parallel construction or a
prepositional phrase that expresses cause and usually has more than one object ; used
principally before phrases beginning with with <what with unemployment
increasing> <what with the war, what with the sweat, what with the gallows,
and what with poverty, I am custom-shrunk — Shakespeare>

3
what
adjective
Definition of WHAT
1. 1a —used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or
value of a person, object, or matter <what minerals do we export>b : how remarkable
or striking for good or bad qualities —used especially in exclamatory utterances and
dependent clauses <what mountains> <remember what fun we had> <whata
suggestion> <what a charming girl>
2. 2a (1) : WHATEVER 1a (2) : ANY <ornament of what description soever>b : the
… that : as much or as many … as <rescued what survivors they found>

Definition of WHAT WITH

1. —used to introduce the part of a sentence that indicates the cause of
something <What withschool and sports, she's always busy.>
Definition of AT WHAT PRICE
1. —used to suggest that too much was lost, damaged, or given up in order to get or
do something <We won the war, but at what price?>
Definition of ( BE ) CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
1. —used to tell people to think before they say that they want something and to
suggest that they may not actually want it <You think having twins would be fun? Be
careful what you wish for, you may just get it.>
Definition of COME WHAT MAY
1. : regardless of what happens <He promised to support her, come what may.>