what

what (hwut, hwät, wut, wät)

Etymology: ME hwat < OE hwæt, neut. of hwa, who < IE interrogative base *kwo-, *kwe- > where, who, L qui, who what, Lith kàs, what, who

noun

the true or basic quality of something to uncover the what and why of their relationship

adjective

which or which kind of: used interrogatively or relatively in asking for or specifying the nature, identity, etc. of a person or thing what man told you that? he knows what role she played
as much, or as many, as take what time (or men) you need
how great, surprising, magnificent, disappointing, etc.: in exclamations what a man! what nonsense!

adverb

Brit., Dialectal so far as; as much as we warned them what we could

used to express surprise, anger, confusion, etc. what! no dinner?

and what not

and other things of all sorts

what about

what is your wish, opinion, or information concerning what about going to a movie?

what for

what have you

Informal anything else of a similar sort selling games, toys, or what have you

what if

what it takes

☆

Informal whatever is necessary for success or popularity, as wealth, beauty, or intelligence

what's what

Informal the true state of affairs

what the heck (or hell, devil, etc.)

what though

what difference does it make that

what with

because of what with the snow and ice, we'll be late
in view of; taking into account what with the usual rush-hour traffic, I suspect you'll be late

pron.

An indication of a question
which? what sort? what kind? what thing? what means?
Something indefinite
that which, whatever, something, anything, everything, whichever, anything at all.

etc., and so forth, etcetera, and other things too numerous to mention, and more; see also anything, everything.

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