what

[[t](h)wʌt, (h)wɒt, wʌt, wɒt[/t]] unstressed [[t](h)wət, wət[/t]]

pron.

1) fun (used interrogatively as a request for specific information):

What is the matter?[/ex]

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

What does he do?[/ex]

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

What are those birds?[/ex]

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

What is wealth without friends?[/ex]

5) fun (used interrogatively to request a repetition of words or information not fully understood, usu. used in elliptical constructions):

You need what?[/ex]

6) fun (used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something, usu. used in elliptical constructions):

What of it?[/ex]

7) fun how much?:

What does it cost?[/ex]

8) fun (used relatively to indicate that which):

I will send what was promised[/ex]

9) fun whatever; anything that:

Come what may[/ex]

10) fun the kind of thing or person that:

She said just what I was expecting[/ex]

11) fun as much as; as many as:

We should each give what we can[/ex]

12) fun the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic clauses):

He went to the meeting and, what was worse, insisted on speaking[/ex]

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

You know what?[/ex]

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

What luck! What an idea![/ex]

15) fun brit. don't you agree?:

An unusual chap, what?[/ex]

16) fun sts Nonstandard. that; which; who:

She's the one what told me[/ex]

17) the true nature or identity of something, or the sum of its characteristics:

the whats and hows of crop rotation[/ex]

18) (used interrogatively before nouns):

What clothes shall I pack?[/ex]

19) whatever:

Take what supplies you need[/ex]

20) to what extent or degree? how much?:

What does it matter?[/ex]

21) (used to introduce a prepositional phrase beginning with with):

What with storms and all, their return was delayed[/ex]

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

What, no kiss?[/ex]

23) fun sts Older Use. as much as; as far as:

He helps me what he can[/ex]

•

- but what so what what for what have you what if what it takes what's what

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE hwæt, c. OS huat, OHG (h)waz, ON hvat, Go hwa, L quod, Skt kād usage: See doubt