what
what
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "what" is /wʌt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds:
w: /w/ (This is a voiced labial-velar approximant. It's similar to the "w" in "wet".)
ʌ: /ʌ/ (This is a near-open central unrounded vowel, like the "u" in "cut" or "but".)
t: /t/ (This is a voiceless alveolar stop, like the "t" in "top".)
Word Form Variations
"What" doesn't have typical singular/plural variations like nouns do. It's primarily a pronoun, determiner, and adverb, and its form remains consistent. It can be part of compound words or phrases, but those are separate words, not variations of "what" itself. For example:
Whatsoever: This is an adverb, intensifying "what."
Whatever: This is a pronoun or determiner.
These are not considered inflections of "what," but rather separate words formed using "what." Therefore, "what" itself doesn't inflect.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
1. Pronoun:
Definition: Used to ask for information about the identity, nature, or value of something. It can also refer to something previously mentioned or understood.
Example: What is your name? I know what you did.
Synonyms: which, who (when referring to a person in an interrogative sense), that (in relative clauses)
Antonyms: (While not direct antonyms, words like "this," "that," "these," and "those" can be used to specify something rather than ask about it.)
2. Determiner (also sometimes classified as a pronoun):
Definition: Used before a noun to ask for information about which specific thing is being referred to.
Example: What book are you reading?
Synonyms: which
Antonyms: (Again, "this," "that," "these," and "those" can specify rather than question.)
3. Adverb:
Definition: Used to ask or express surprise or disbelief.
Example: What a surprise! What, you're leaving already?
Synonyms: how (in some exclamatory uses), why (in expressions of surprise)
Antonyms: (In this exclamatory sense, there aren't direct antonyms, but perhaps expressions of acceptance or expectation could be considered contrasting responses).
Examples of Use
Books:
"What we think, we become." (Buddha, often quoted in self-help and philosophical texts - this is a widely attributed quote, and it is difficult to source the original text)
"What is to be done?" (Vladimir Lenin, title of a political pamphlet - Lenin, V. I. (1902). What Is to Be Done?)
"What's in a name? that which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet." (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare,1 W. (c. 1595). Romeo and Juliet)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"What are the key takeaways from the latest economic report?" (Example of news reporting - this is a hypothetical example, but similar phrasing is common in financial news.)
"What's next for the climate talks?" (Example of online news article headline - again, a hypothetical but realistic headline.)
"What you need to know about the new tax law." (Example of a headline from a financial advice website - hypothetical example.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"What's up, Doc?" (Bugs Bunny's catchphrase - widely known from Looney Tunes cartoons.)
"What is love? Baby don't hurt me / No more." (Haddaway, song lyrics - Haddaway. (1993). What Is Love)
"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." (Slogan used in advertising and popular culture, often associated with the city of Las Vegas - this is a widely used phrase, its origin is difficult to source.)
"What?!" (Common expression of surprise or disbelief, used in memes, online videos, and general conversation - this is a ubiquitous expression, not attributable to a single source.)
General Public Discourse:
"What time is it?" (Common question asked in everyday conversation.)
"What do you mean?" (Used to ask for clarification.)
"What a beautiful day!" (Exclamation of appreciation.)
"What ever!" (Expression of dismissal or indifference, common in informal communication.)
10 Famous Quotes Using What
"What you think, you become." (Buddha)
"What's in a name? that which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet." (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare,1 W. (c. 1595). Romeo and Juliet)
"What is to be done?" (Vladimir Lenin, title of a political pamphlet - Lenin, V. I. (1902). What Is to Be Done?)
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." (Helen Keller - Keller, H. (1930). Midstream: My Later Life)
"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"What is life but a series of inspired follies?" (Helen Keller)
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." (Zig Ziglar - Ziglar, Z. (1975). See You at the Top)
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" (Mary Oliver, The Summer Day - Oliver, M. (1992). Dream Work)
"What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." (Napoleon Hill - Hill, N. (1937). Think and Grow Rich)
"What you are is what you have been. What you will be is what you do now." (Buddha)
Etymology
"What" comes from Old English, specifically the word hwæt. Think of it like a very old ancestor of our modern word. Hwæt was used to ask questions, just like "what" is today. It also had a related form, hwæther, which meant "which" (and is related to our modern "whether").
Going even further back, hwæt comes from a Proto-Germanic word, khwaz. Proto-Germanic is a hypothetical ancestor language of many languages spoken in Europe, including English, German, Dutch, and Scandinavian languages. So, khwaz was the root word that eventually evolved into hwæt in Old English.
The very first uses of hwæt (and its ancestor khwaz) were, as far as we can tell, to ask questions. It was a word designed to seek information. Imagine someone in ancient times pointing at something and saying a form of hwæt – that's essentially how it started.
So, in short:
The word "what" comes from the Old English word hwæt.
Hwæt meant "what" and was used to ask questions.
Hwæt came from an even older Proto-Germanic word, khwaz.
The original meaning of khwaz (and therefore hwæt and "what") was to inquire or ask about something.
It's a very old word with a long history, and its core meaning has remained remarkably consistent over thousands of years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing What
Common/Relatively Common Phrases and Idioms:
What's up? (Informal greeting)
What's the matter? (Asking about a problem)
What's the deal? (Asking for an explanation or the reason for something)
What's the point? (Questioning the purpose or value of something)
What's in a name? (Expressing that the name of something is not important)
What's the catch? (Asking about a hidden disadvantage)
What if...? (Introducing a hypothetical situation)
So what? (Expressing indifference)
Guess what? (Introducing surprising news)
What on earth? / What in the world? (Expressions of surprise or disbelief)
Less Common or More Informal Phrases:
What for? (Asking the reason for something)
What about...? (Introducing a topic or suggestion)
What do you know? (Expressing surprise at someone's knowledge)
What a [noun]! (Exclamation of admiration or surprise, e.g., "What a day!")
Why "What" is Less Common in Idioms:
As mentioned, "what" is often used as a grammatical tool to form questions and introduce relative clauses, but it's rarely the core of a figurative expression. Idioms tend to be built around more concrete words—nouns, verbs, and adjectives—that carry stronger imagery. "What" is more abstract.
Synonymous/Related Idioms (using words with similar interrogative or relative functions):
Since "what" is often used to ask questions, idioms involving "who," "where," "when," "why," and "how" can sometimes achieve a similar effect. For example, instead of a hypothetical "What's what?" (meaning to understand a situation), you might use "Who's who?" (to identify important people). Or, instead of "What's it to you?" (meaning it's none of your business), you could use "How does that concern you?"
While "what" itself might not be the star of many idioms, its role in language is crucial for creating them and for general communication.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of what from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
