what
∞
1.0
- determiner
- /wʌt/
:
qué
- Yeah, but what difference does it make?
- what kind
- to what extent
- what questions
So it's sort of like what kind of bond do we have?
- So it's sort of like what kind of bond do we have?
Examples
-
Can you tell me what time the meeting starts?
-
What kind of measure would you say is appropriate?
-
But the biggest question is what are you going to do?
-
OK, first of all, we have what is this?
-
And then in the end, when you finish, what you got is this shape.
-
Hey, what world do you live in?
-
Then we'll see what kind of driver you really are.
-
I wanted to see what kind of a day it is.
-
What kind of doctor are you?
-
The participants were asked to report what skills are shared in both math and reading.
Academic text (2008)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A word used to ask about a choice from a known group
Idioms
- Informal
90
8.9
A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance
- NSFW
1
9.9
A joke phrase people say after someone says something that can sound sexual
- Informal
A humorous remark to greet someone who arrives unexpectedly or looking messy
- Offensive
A joke reply that mentions someone's mother to tease them about sex
Try many different ideas to find one that works
- Informal
Things that rise will later fall, for example prices or fortunes
- Informal
A short phrase people use to show surprise or disbelief without a bad word
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
Surface Forms
Etymology
What comes from the old English word hwæt, which meant 'what' or 'which' and is related to other question words like who and when. So we use what before a noun to ask about which thing, kind, or number of something.