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what

what

1.0
Used in a question to ask for information about something
  • pronoun
  • /wʌt/
translation icon : 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
19 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
797 7.5

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

476 9.9

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

347 8.9

An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something

201 4.1

Needed qualities and skills to succeed at something

120 7.8

A question asking why someone is upset or acting angry

A phrase that says something will happen despite problems

guess what
  • Informal
91 4.9

A phrase you say before telling surprising news

what the heck
  • Informal
90 8.9

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

To show surprise and criticism of a bad choice

72 7.6

To mean other similar things or people not mentioned

say what
  • Informal
68 9.8

A short phrase showing surprise and not believing what someone said

42 6.7

To give reasons that together explain why something happens

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

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

15 6.7

To understand a situation or subject well

what gives
  • Informal
15 8.9

Asking why something is happening when it seems wrong or surprising

what's what
  • Informal
12 5.3

Important facts about a situation you need to know

Words people say when they are surprised to see something

8 6.0

To get the results of your actions, good or bad

Exactly what you need or want in a situation

7 9.8

Not as good or impressive as it was before

what is more
  • Formal
5 3.5

Adds more important or surprising information

come what may
  • Literature
5 6.3

No matter what happens

what the Devil
  • Archaic
4 9.5

A phrase said to show surprise, confusion, or annoyance

4 4.3

Used to ask why someone did something

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

it is what it is
  • Informal
2 7.4

Saying you accept a situation you cannot change

2 7.7

To try different ideas to find which ones work

To ask someone about their personality or how they usually behave

1 8.7

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

1 6.4

To understand what is really happening because of experience

what a hassle
  • Informal
1 8.4

An expression of annoyance about something difficult to do

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

what for
  • Informal
1 8.8

A strong scolding you get when someone is angry with you

Exactly as they appear, with nothing hidden

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

on what score
  • Archaic
8.3

Asking what reason someone gave for a decision

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

Try many different ideas to find one that works

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

9.9

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

9.8

To ask someone if they agree or what they think

A question said to show someone is asking for too much

what the fish
  • Informal
9.9

An informal phrase people say to show surprise or disbelief

what the flip
  • Informal
9.9

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

what the fuck ever
  • Offensive
9.9

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

Works exactly as described and does what is promised

what the cuss
  • Informal
9.9

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

what the what
  • Informal
9.9

A short phrase people say to show surprise or confusion

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

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
476 9.9
what
1.0
to question
777 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.