wha

Examples

• All

• I was woken up by him, and as usual, I went, 'Wha?'

  Blog text (34)

• "Wha-wha-what?"

  Fiction book (1996)

• In my polite Canadian accent, I say "oh sorry." He looks at me and says, "wha?"

  Blog text (13)

• My first reaction was 'wha?' but I didn't have to be talked into it; the idea was very attractive.

  Blog text (13)

• I stumbled off the couch, went to the intercom, and said, "Wha?"

  Fiction book (1997)

• You know when you're watching Moneyball and the old scouts are all, "Wha ...?"

  Blog text (6)

• When I heard the shocking news, all I could say was "wha?"

• After she told me her plan, I was so surprised that I just exclaimed, "wha?"

• He looked confused and simply muttered, "wha?" when I mentioned the change.

Synonyms

H

huh

vswha

• Informal

∞ 8.0

A short sound that shows you do not understand or are surprised

also covers surprise as well as asking to repeat

W

whoa

vswha

• Informal

∞ 7.2

To say when surprised or when you want someone to stop suddenly

is focused more on surprise or asking for repetition rather than stopping

Y

you what

vswha

• UK

476 9.9

To ask someone to repeat what they said because you do not believe it

is more general and not limited to British disbelief use

W

what the heck

vswha

• Informal

90 8.9

A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance

is shorter and often used to request repetition or show quick surprise

W

woah

vswha

• Informal

14 8.8

A short cry people use to show surprise or amazement

is milder and can also function as a request to repeat

W

wah

vswha

• Informal

14 9.9

A short cry showing surprise or excitement

is more neutral and can also signal confusion or repetition

H

hunh

vswha

• Informal

4 9.9

A short sound you make to show confusion or ask someone to repeat

is broader, also used to show surprise not only confusion

E

ehh

vswha

• Informal

2 9.9

A sound people make to ask someone to repeat what they said

adds the meaning of surprise as well as lack of hearing

W

whammo

vswha

• Informal

2 9.9

A short shout showing sudden surprise or strong impact

is used for surprise or asking for repetition rather than physical force

W

wat

vswha

• Slang

1 9.9

A short informal spelling of what used online to show confusion

is used similarly but also in spoken casual questioning

E

ehhh

vswha

• Informal

1 9.9

A sound people make to show they do not hear or understand

includes surprise use beyond simple request for repetition

W

woa

vswha

• Informal

1 9.9

A short shout showing surprise or asking for attention

is also used to ask for repetition or show confusion

W

wut

vswha

• Slang

9.9

A funny informal way people write what online to show confusion

covers spoken surprise and asking someone to repeat what they said

W

wot

vswha

• Informal

9.9

An informal spelling of what used in casual speech and writing

is mainly for spontaneous surprise, not just orthographic play

W

wth

vswha

• Slang

9.9

A short informal way people use to show surprise, confusion, or disbelief

is the spoken exclamation used to ask for repetition as well

O

oh my heck

vswha

• Informal

9.9

A short phrase people say when they feel surprised or do not believe something

is more informal and can directly ask someone to repeat

W

whillikers

vswha

• Archaic

9.9

A word people used long ago to show surprise

is informal modern speech used for confusion and repetition

T

the hell you say

vswha

• Informal

9.9

A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief

is softer and also used when someone did not hear something

How Surprised

what the what

• Informal

9.9

wha

• Informal

61 9.9

huh

• Informal

∞ 8.0

what

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology