1what 
/ˈwɑ:t, ˈwʌt/ pronoun
/ˈwɑ:t, ˈwʌt/ pronoun 1 a — used to ask for information about someone or something ▪ What is your name? ▪ What are those things on the table? ▪ What's your family like? ▪ What happened? ▪ What [=how much] does it cost? ▪ “What did she say?” “She said yes.” ▪ What do you think of my idea? ▪ What do you want to do tonight? ▪ “Dad!” “What (do you want)?” “You have a phone call.” ▪ What (on earth) are you doing?! ▪ I finished dusting. Now what (should I do)? ▪ What (should I do) next? ▪ What else did he say? ▪ You have money, fame, and a beautiful family. What more could you want?
b — used to describe a question ▪ Please ask them what they want for dinner. ▪ They asked her what she knew about him. ▪ I wonder what his motives were. 2 a — used to ask someone to say something again because you have not clearly heard or understood it ▪ What did you say? = (informal) What? — often used to show surprise about the thing that someone has just said ▪ “And then I said that he could go to hell.” “You said what?!” ▪ She did what?! ▪ What? I don't believe it. You must be joking!
b informal — used to express surprise, excitement, etc. ▪ What, no breakfast? ▪ “Have you heard? They won!” “What!? That's great!” 3 informal — used to ask what someone's last name is ▪ “Her name's Kathy.” “Kathy what?” 4 a : that which : the one or ones that
▪ He has no income but what he gets from his writing. [=he has no income except for the income he gets from his writing] ▪ “Do you have any other sizes?” “No, only what you see here.”
b : the kind that : the same as
▪ The speech was very much what everyone expected. ▪ My memory isn't what it used to be. [=it is not as good as it used to be]
c : something that
▪ The dog is chewing on what appears to be a sock. ▪ It was the beginning of what turned out to be a long and successful career.
d : the thing or things that
▪ What you need is a vacation. [=you need a vacation] ▪ What made me angry was how he treated you. [=it was the way he treated you that made me angry] ▪ What matters most is your safety. = Your safety is what matters most. ▪ Romance novels are what she enjoys reading. ▪ Do what you're told. ▪ Tell me what you're looking for. ▪ She is looking for something but I don't know what. ▪ He knows what he should do. — often followed by to + verb ▪ Stop telling me what to do. ▪ I don't know what to think/say/believe. ▪ She has (got) what it takes [=she has the skills and personality] to do the job. ▪ I'll do what it takes to win. ▪ You'll never guess what happened to me today. [=you'll be surprised by what happened to me today] ◊Guess what is often used to tell someone that you have surprising news.
▪ Guess what happened to me today! ▪ “Guess what!” “What?” “I bought a new car.”
e : anything or everything that : whatever
▪ Say what you will, my opinion won't change. [=nothing you can say will change my opinion] ▪ Take what you need. [=take anything that you need] 5 informal — used to direct attention to something that you are about to say ▪ I'll tell you what I'm going to do: I'm going to let you have it for 30 percent off. ▪ I'll tell you what. If he thinks I'm cleaning up this mess, he's wrong. ▪ Tell you what—let's eat out tonight. ▪ “It's not worth the money.” “You know what—you're right.”
b — used to describe a question ▪ Please ask them what they want for dinner. ▪ They asked her what she knew about him. ▪ I wonder what his motives were.
b informal — used to express surprise, excitement, etc. ▪ What, no breakfast? ▪ “Have you heard? They won!” “What!? That's great!”
▪ He has no income but what he gets from his writing. [=he has no income except for the income he gets from his writing] ▪ “Do you have any other sizes?” “No, only what you see here.”
b : the kind that : the same as
▪ The speech was very much what everyone expected. ▪ My memory isn't what it used to be. [=it is not as good as it used to be]
c : something that
▪ The dog is chewing on what appears to be a sock. ▪ It was the beginning of what turned out to be a long and successful career.
d : the thing or things that
▪ What you need is a vacation. [=you need a vacation] ▪ What made me angry was how he treated you. [=it was the way he treated you that made me angry] ▪ What matters most is your safety. = Your safety is what matters most. ▪ Romance novels are what she enjoys reading. ▪ Do what you're told. ▪ Tell me what you're looking for. ▪ She is looking for something but I don't know what. ▪ He knows what he should do. — often followed by to + verb ▪ Stop telling me what to do. ▪ I don't know what to think/say/believe. ▪ She has (got) what it takes [=she has the skills and personality] to do the job. ▪ I'll do what it takes to win. ▪ You'll never guess what happened to me today. [=you'll be surprised by what happened to me today] ◊Guess what is often used to tell someone that you have surprising news.
▪ Guess what happened to me today! ▪ “Guess what!” “What?” “I bought a new car.”
e : anything or everything that : whatever
▪ Say what you will, my opinion won't change. [=nothing you can say will change my opinion] ▪ Take what you need. [=take anything that you need]
or what
informal 1 — used to ask about what is happening, being done, etc. ▪ Is it snowing, raining, or what? ▪ So are you ready to leave or what? 2 — used to ask if someone agrees with you ▪ Is this exciting or what? [=isn't this exciting?; don't you agree that this is exciting?]
say what — see 1say
what about 1 a : does that include (someone) : how about (someone)
▪ “We're all going to the beach.” “What about Kenny?”
b : how does that affect (someone or something) : what should be done about (someone or something)
▪ “I need to leave—something has come up.” “What about the meeting?” “We can reschedule it.” ▪ “You can throw this one away.” “What about the others?” “Those I want to keep.” ▪ (And/But) What about the people who can't afford health insurance? 2 — used to make a suggestion about what could be done ▪ What about [=how about] coming with us? ▪ What about driving to the coast for the weekend? ▪ We'll need to talk about this again. What about (meeting) next week? ▪ What about another game? [=would you like to play another game?] 3 — used to ask someone to tell you something in response to the thing that you have just said ▪ I like skiing and hiking. What about you? [=what sports do you like?] ▪ Everyone else is coming. What about you? [=are you coming, too?]
▪ “We're all going to the beach.” “What about Kenny?”
b : how does that affect (someone or something) : what should be done about (someone or something)
▪ “I need to leave—something has come up.” “What about the meeting?” “We can reschedule it.” ▪ “You can throw this one away.” “What about the others?” “Those I want to keep.” ▪ (And/But) What about the people who can't afford health insurance?
what…for
: for what purpose or reason
▪ What did you do that for? [=why did you do that?] ▪ What is this switch for? [=what does this switch do?] ▪ “The principal wants to see you.” “What for?” [=why?] — see also what for
▪ What did you do that for? [=why did you do that?] ▪ What is this switch for? [=what does this switch do?] ▪ “The principal wants to see you.” “What for?” [=why?] — see also what for
what have you
informal : any of the other things that might also be mentioned
▪ You can use the container to hold paper clips, pins, and/or what have you.
▪ You can use the container to hold paper clips, pins, and/or what have you.
what if 1 : what would happen if
▪ What if they find out? ▪ What if it rains? 2 : what does it matter if — used to say that something is not important ▪ “He's nice enough, I suppose. But he's poor.” “What if he is poor? I love him!” ▪ “They might find out.” “So what if they do? I don't care.” — see also so what at 3what
▪ What if they find out? ▪ What if it rains?
what of 1 formal : how does that affect (someone or something) : what should be done about (someone or something)
▪ What of [=what about] those who cannot afford health insurance? 2 : why does (something) matter
▪ “Did you approve this request?” “Yes. What of it?” [=so what?]
▪ What of [=what about] those who cannot afford health insurance?
▪ “Did you approve this request?” “Yes. What of it?” [=so what?]
what's it to you?
informal : why do you want to know — used to respond in a somewhat angry or annoyed way to a question that you do not want to answer ▪ “How much do they pay you?” “Why? What's it to you?”
what's more
: in addition : furthermore
▪ Her boyfriend is intelligent and handsome; what's more, he respects her.
▪ Her boyfriend is intelligent and handsome; what's more, he respects her.
what's up?
US, informal — used as a friendly greeting ▪ “Hi, Jim. What's up?” “Not much.”
what's what
informal : the true state of things : the things that need to be known or understood in order to make good judgments, decisions, etc.
▪ She knows what's what when it comes to fashion. [=she knows a lot about fashion] ▪ We need to find out what's what.
▪ She knows what's what when it comes to fashion. [=she knows a lot about fashion] ▪ We need to find out what's what.
what's with or what's up with
informal 1 : what is the reason for (something)
▪ (So) what's with the hat? [=why are you wearing that hat?] ▪ He told me to go away. What's up with that? [=why did he do that?] 2 : what is wrong with (someone or something)
▪ What's with him? ▪ What's up with you? You look upset. ▪ I can't figure out what's up with this computer.
▪ (So) what's with the hat? [=why are you wearing that hat?] ▪ He told me to go away. What's up with that? [=why did he do that?]
▪ What's with him? ▪ What's up with you? You look upset. ▪ I can't figure out what's up with this computer.
