what
what Lexical Profile
what Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Used as an interrogative determiner before a noun to ask for the specific identity, nature, or amount of something.
"What time does the train leave for London?"
Used in exclamations before a noun phrase to emphasize how remarkable, surprising, or extreme something is.
"What a magnificent view of the mountains!"
Whatever; any or all that (used relatively before a noun).
"She packed what clothes she could fit into the small suitcase."
• pronoun
Used as an interrogative pronoun to ask for information specifying something, such as an object, action, or concept.
"What did the professor say about the upcoming examination?"
That which; the thing or things that (used as a relative pronoun).
"Please listen carefully to what I am about to explain."
• interjection
Used to express surprise, shock, disbelief, or to ask someone to repeat something that was not clearly heard.
"What! You mean to tell me they canceled the entire conference?"
• adverb
To what extent or degree; how much (often used in questions about importance or consequence).
"What does it matter if we arrive a few minutes late?"
• noun
The true nature, identity, or essence of something (typically used in philosophical or analytical contexts).
"The report explains the what and the why of the new economic policy."
Word Nuance & Usage
When choosing between 'what' and 'which' as interrogative determiners or pronouns, 'what' is used when asking about an open or unlimited set of possibilities (e.g., "What books do you like?"), whereas 'which' is used when selecting from a specific, limited group (e.g., "Which of these two books do you prefer?").
• Rhymes for what
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English hwæt, the neuter form of hwa ('who'), derived from the Proto-Germanic interrogative stem *hwat and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *kwo-.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.