pronoun
1.
(used interrogatively
as a request
for specific
information):
What is the matter?
2.
(used interrogatively
to inquire
about the character,
occupation,
etc., of a person):
What does he do?
3.
(used interrogatively
to inquire
as to the origin,
identity, etc., of something):
What are those birds?
4.
(used interrogatively
to inquire
as to the worth, usefulness,
force, or importance
of something):
What is wealth without
friends?
5.
(used interrogatively
to request
a repetition
of words or information
not fully understood,
usually
used in elliptical
constructions):
You need what?
6.
(used interrogatively
to inquire
the reason or purpose
of something,
usually
used in elliptical
constructions):
What of it?
7.
how much?: What does it cost?
8.
(used relatively
to indicate
that which):
I will send what was promised.
9.
whatever; anything
that: Say what you please.
Come what may.
10.
the kind of thing or person that: He said what everyone
expected
he would. They are just what I was expecting.
11.
as much as; as many as: We should each give what we can.
12.
the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic
clauses):
He went to the meeting
and, what was worse, insisted
on speaking.
13.
(used to indicate
more to follow,
additional
possibilities,
alternatives,
etc.): You know what? Shall we go or what?
14.
(used as an intensifier
in exclamatory
phrases, often followed
by an indefinite
article):
What luck! What an idea!
15.
British
. don't you agree?:
An unusual
chap, what?
16.
Nonstandard
. that; which; who: She's the one what told me.
noun
17.
the true nature or identity
of something,
or the sum of its characteristics:
a lecture
on the whats and hows of crop rotation.
adjective
18.
(used interrogatively
before nouns):
What news? What clothes
shall I pack?
adverb
20.
to what extent or degree?
how much?: What does it matter?
21.
(used to introduce
a prepositional
phrase beginning
with with ): What with storms and all, their return was delayed.
22.
Obsolete
. for what reason or purpose?
why?
interjection
23.
(used in exclamatory
expressions,
often followed
by a question):
What, no salt?
conjunction
24.
Older Use . as much as; as far as: He helps me what he can.
Idioms
25.
but what, Informal
. but that; but who; who or that
… not: Who knows but what the sun may still shine.
26.
Say what? Slang . (used especially
among teenagers)
What's that you say? Would you repeat that?
27.
So what? Informal
. (an expression of disinterest,
disinclination,
or contempt.)
28.
what for,
a.
why: What are you doing that for?
b.
a punishment
or scolding.
29.
what have you, other things of the same kind; so forth: money, jewels,
stocks,
and what have you.
30.
what if, what would be the outcome
if; suppose
that: What if everyone
who was invited
comes?
31.
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.
32.
what's what, Informal
. the true situation;
all the facts: It's high time you told him what's what.
Origin:
before 900;
Middle English;
Old English
hwæt;
cognate
with German
was,
Dutch
wat,
Old Norse
hvat; akin to Gothic
hwa,
Latin
quod,
Greek
tí
1.
contraction
of what is or what has:
What's the matter?
What's been done?
2.
contraction
of what does: What's she do for a living?
World English
Dictionary
what (wɒt, (
unstressed
) wət)
| — determiner
|
| 1. |
a. used with a noun in requesting
further
information
about the identity
or categorization
of something:
what job does he do?
|
| |
b. ( as pronoun
): what is her address?
|
| |
c. ( used in indirect
questions
): does he know what man did this? ; tell me what he said
|
| 2. |
a. the (person,
thing, persons,
or things)
that: we photographed
what animals
we could see
|
| |
b. ( as pronoun
): bring me what you've written
; come what may
|
| 3. |
(intensifier;
used in exclamations):
what a good book!
|
| |
| — adv
|
| 4. |
in what respect?
to what degree?:
what do you care?
|
| |
| — pron
|
| 5. |
not standard
which, who, or that, when used as relative
pronouns:
this is the man what I saw in the park yesterday
|
| 6. |
what about what do you think, know, feel, etc, concerning?
|
| 7. |
what for
|
| |
a. for what purpose?
why? |
| |
b. informal
a punishment
or reprimand
(esp in the phrase give ( a person ) what for ) |
| 8. |
what have you someone,
something,
or somewhere
unknown
or unspecified:
cars, motorcycles,
or what have you
|
| 9. |
what if
|
| |
a. what would happen if? |
| |
b. what difference
would it make if? |
| 10. |
what matter what does it matter?
|
| 11. |
informal
what's what the true or real state of affairs
|
| |
| — interj
|
| 12. |
informal
don't you think? don't you agree?:
splendid
party, what?
|
| |
usage
The use of are in sentences
such as what we need are more doctors
is common,
although
many people think is should be used: what we need is more doctors
|
Sources:
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/what
