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what

what

∞ 1.0
Used in a question to ask for information about something
  • pronoun
  • /wʌt/
: qué
  • Can you tell me what you think about this idea?
  • What happened
  • What do you mean
  • What do you think

OK, so I mean, what did we learn?

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Examples

  • So again, you know, what does this mean?

  • OK, so I mean, what did we learn?

  • And so you have to start with, what is his vision?

  • Well, do you know what else came out this year?

  • And I was like, "What? What are you talking about?"

  • Did you get to say what you wanted to say?

  • All right, let's see what it's good for.

  • My first step was to find out more about what it was like to be blind.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Can you tell me what's so good about fat?

  • If there is intelligent life in the universe, what might these aliens be like?

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

how so
vswhat
17 5.1

To ask someone to explain how or why something is true

asks for general information or details rather than specific reasons or manner

Idioms

you know what
  • Informal
∞ 7.5

To say something new or surprising to get someone's attention

∞ 8.9

An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something

∞ 4.3

Used to ask why someone did something

guess what
  • Informal
445 4.9

A phrase you say before telling surprising news

238 4.1

Needed qualities and skills to succeed at something

To show surprise and criticism of a bad choice

what the heck
  • Informal
147 8.9

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

A phrase that says something will happen despite problems

what the what
  • Informal
112 9.9

A short phrase people say to show surprise or confusion

102 6.7

To give reasons that together explain why something happens

Words people say when they are surprised to see something

say what
  • Informal
79 9.8

A short phrase showing surprise and not believing what someone said

61 7.8

A question asking why someone is upset or acting angry

To ask how likely something is to happen, often when you are surprised

54 9.9

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

45 7.6

To mean other similar things or people not mentioned

what's what
  • Informal
40 5.3

Important facts about a situation you need to know

it is what it is
  • Informal
40 7.4

Saying you accept a situation you cannot change

what gives
  • Informal
27 8.9

Asking why something is happening when it seems wrong or surprising

what the Devil
  • Archaic
25 9.5

A phrase said to show surprise, confusion, or annoyance

Take any action needed to reach a goal, even when it is difficult

Exactly what you need or want in a situation

9 6.0

To get the results of your actions, good or bad

come what may
  • Literature
8 6.3

No matter what happens

To say someone has a very bad idea as if they are not thinking clearly

7 6.4

To understand what is really happening because of experience

7 6.7

To understand a situation or subject well

5 8.7

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

what is more
  • Formal
5 3.5

Adds more important or surprising information

5 9.8

Not as good or impressive as it was before

A humorous remark to greet someone who arrives unexpectedly or looking messy

what for
  • Informal
4 8.8

A strong scolding you get when someone is angry with you

Things that rise will later fall, for example prices or fortunes

End up with what you wanted, often in a way you do not like

2 7.7

To try different ideas to find which ones work

2 9.9

A rude question showing you do not believe someone's idea

Exactly as they appear, with nothing hidden

what the fuck ever
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To say you do not care about something in a rude way

what a hassle
  • Informal
1 8.4

An expression of annoyance about something difficult to do

what the flip
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short phrase people use to show surprise or disbelief without a bad word

1 9.9

A joke reply that mentions someone's mother to tease them about sex

Works exactly as described and does what is promised

what the fish
  • Informal
1 9.9

An informal phrase people say to show surprise or disbelief

1 9.9

A question said to show someone is asking for too much

what the cuss
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short angry or surprised shout used instead of a rude word

A joke phrase people say after someone says something that can sound sexual

on what score
  • Archaic
8.3

Asking what reason someone gave for a decision

Try many different ideas to find one that works

To ask someone about their personality or how they usually behave

9.8

To ask someone if they agree or what they think

Say this when someone acts very differently, as if they are a different person

How Disbelieving

to get out of here
  • Informal
∞ 3.0
you what
  • UK
54 9.9
what
∞ 1.0
to question
932 3.5

Surface Forms

what subject case
what object case

Etymology

What comes from the old English word hwæt, meaning 'what' or 'which', and it belongs to the family of question words like who, where, and when. So using what in a question asks for information or details about a thing.