What

[wɒt] or [wɑt]

Definition

(pron., a., & adv.) As an interrogative pronoun, used in asking questions regarding either persons or things; as, what is this? what did you say? what poem is this? what child is lost?

(pron., a., & adv.) As an exclamatory word: -- (a) Used absolutely or independently; -- often with a question following.

(pron., a., & adv.) Used adjectively, meaning how remarkable, or how great; as, what folly! what eloquence! what courage!

(pron., a., & adv.) Sometimes prefixed to adjectives in an adverbial sense, as nearly equivalent to how; as, what happy boys!

(pron., a., & adv.) As a relative pronoun

(pron., a., & adv.) Used substantively with the antecedent suppressed, equivalent to that which, or those [persons] who, or those [things] which; -- called a compound relative.

(pron., a., & adv.) Used adjectively, equivalent to the . . . which; the sort or kind of . . . which; rarely, the . . . on, or at, which.

(pron., a., & adv.) Used adverbially in a sense corresponding to the adjectival use; as, he picked what good fruit he saw.

(pron., a., & adv.) Whatever; whatsoever; what thing soever; -- used indefinitely.

(pron., a., & adv.) Used adverbially, in part; partly; somewhat; -- with a following preposition, especially, with, and commonly with repetition.

(n.) Something; thing; stuff.

(interrog. adv.) Why? For what purpose? On what account?

Checker: Lola

Synonyms and Synonymous

pron. [1]. That which.[2]. The sort of, the kind of.[3]. Which (out of many, or of many kinds).[4]. How, how great, how remarkable.

Editor: Warren