What Definition–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 fol. 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? | | 19. | whatever: Take what supplies you need. | –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 fol. 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 esp. 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? |
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| 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. | |
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