| 释义 |
Definition of what in English: whatpronoun wɒt 1interrogative pronoun Asking for information specifying something. I'm not sure what you mean Example sentencesExamples - So why do we have music festivals, what do they achieve and where can it all go wrong - or right?
- All I can ask is, what has happened to all that money and what has actually improved?
- So what would your view be of the result, if members of staff are brave enough to use the present procedure?
- You could be run over by the car of bad luck tomorrow, and what will it all have been for?
- One wonders why they want this information, and what it is used for once they have it.
- If we did it in a normal car it would have been easier to do but what's the fun in that?
- Back to the music, what can audiences in the south expect from Tony's current tour?
- When it didn't bring up any helpful information she asked me what it was going to be used in.
- This information will be used to decide if you owe the money and what instalments you should pay.
- It was clear that Japan faced a remarkable opportunity: but what was to be done with it?
- In some ways that's no bad thing - what else is dance music for if not to compel you to boogie?
- How did you end up in the Music City and what are your thoughts on this musical milieu?
- After an enormous amount of money and resources and judicial time what are we achieving?
- If he was a fool, what were those his folly whipped into orgies of vicious mockery?
- It seemed to me the whole sticky question of what small children are prepared to eat needed testing.
- That again is accepted, but the question remains, what is the amount of the benefit?
- So what is your general view of the response by the MPS in relation to these cases?
- Er, well excuse me, but what's left if those areas of your game aren't up to scratch?
- Yes, it raises money for charity but what is really funny about sitting in baked beans?
- I have no idea what drove him to begin playing music, what siren song it used to make him devote his life to it.
- 1.1 Asking for repetition of something not heard or confirmation of something not understood.
2relative pronoun The thing or things that (used in specifying something) what we need is a commitment Example sentencesExamples - Neither of these would be what we call fun but then, you know, it's not a fun situation.
- Speakers will give their views on what the trust is doing well and where there is room for improvement.
- In order to understand people, we need to solicit their views or accounts of what they are doing.
- She would have wanted us all to be happy and to have fun so that is what we will do.
- Naturally we took the one which gave us the best view of what was going on.
- She sees everything and communicates to the staff her clear views on what should be happening.
- Nevertheless, it is a lovely piece, and what I would have voted for if I had got round to it.
- Adam says that the only thing remarkable about what he did was the speed at which he moved.
- They may not thank you for offering them a fun companion when what they really need is a mother.
- No one expects us to win, so we just have to go out and give it our all, have a go at them and with a bit of luck who knows what we might achieve.
- I just spoke to a Staff Nurse who was lovely and knew exactly what she was talking about.
- Some people make fun of you but what's beautiful is that most people are interested.
- Of course, you need to build on your luck and that's what we aim to do against Coventry this weekend.
- Bigger and better seems the only way to view what's destined to become another best seller.
- We tend to take a clear-cut view of what being a victim of crime entails, and who the victim is in every case.
- These guys are taking all the fun out of what was once the most gloriously unpredictable of games.
- Part of what makes football fun is that we all have different ways of looking at things.
- Plants are dormant and deciduous ones will have lost their leaves so there is a clear view of what needs to be done.
- And it was a fitting way to celebrate the start of what would become a remarkable reign.
- Well, I have to report it wasn't a very good end to what was actually a lovely holiday.
- 2.1 (referring to the whole of an amount) whatever.
I want to do what I can to make a difference Example sentencesExamples - The coherent arrangement of the pictures allows one to seek out what one wishes to view.
- She should be able to have fun and do what she wants and not have people antagonising her.
3(in exclamations) emphasizing something surprising or remarkable. what some people do for a crust! Synonyms what did you say, what, eh, i beg your pardon, beg pardon, sorry, excuse me, say again
determinerwɒt 1interrogative determiner Asking for information specifying something. do you know what excuse he gave? Example sentencesExamples - Now it looks as if the taxpayer will have to foot the whole bill and what sort of result is that?
- You will not have access to the database, it will not be clear who has what information on you.
- They need to know precisely what information was placed before Treasury officials.
- She only cycles at walking pace, so what excuse has she for not obeying the law and dismounting?
- Pardon me, but what possible meaning can the word friend have in that sentence?
- How will this affect the existence of money, and what sort of society might emerge as a result?
- So what excuse does the council have for not allowing food waste in the green bins, it all rots down?
- Send us an email explaining what you feel you can bring to the station and what genre of music you play.
- So when it comes to buying music, what place is there for any form of brand loyalty?
- Pat wanted to know what sort of amount we needed and how we'd use any money raised.
- Can you explain your thoughts and what information were you receiving from the team at that time?
- It would work by asking you a series of questions about what music you like or dislike.
- By the time you had figured out what song you were hearing, they had switched to a new one.
- The disappointment is that no one is sure what form Railtrack's replacement will take.
- How would you class your own music, and what kind of styles do you particularly like?
- You decide what kind of information you want to give out, and you start to get to know each other better.
- Disputes often arise about what information was in fact provided in a given case.
- That means a long car journey and, more to the point, an argument about what music to play.
- We once had an enormous row because we couldn't decide what music to listen to in the car.
2relative determiner (referring to the whole of an amount) whatever. he had been robbed of what little money he had Example sentencesExamples - Stop ruining what little enjoyment some of us poor souls can manage to eke out of the average tedious day.
- He flies down to Cataluna and tries to locate her based on what little information he has about her.
- Read what information is available and pick up some tips on how to lessen the risk to yourself.
- This is just a small amount of what cruelty actually happens, and this is only in Britain as well.
- Under the Data Protection Act, you have the right to see what information is held about you.
- Could it be that the record companies no longer have control over what music is being bought?
- Much of the debate centred on what money and powers the Government would give assemblies.
- This is a great film that may leave you reflecting on what luck you've been dealt in life.
- It is truly amazing what information is available if one is prepared to search for it.
3(in exclamations) how great or remarkable. as predeterminer what a fool she was Example sentencesExamples - I should have known better than to comment on what a lovely morning it was this morning.
- Such a rapid, dramatic, take always takes you by surprise but what a way to be surprised!
- Only a simple plaque at the graveyard entrance hints at what a remarkable man he was.
- He will have begun his work by then and what an amount of work he has to do.
- I don't know if they will always be together but what an amazing understanding they have.
- Ask them about it and you might understand what a significant impact it had on the era.
- So it comes as no surprise to discover what a great exercise it is for the lower body.
- He remarks what a lovely and expensive machine it is and that he will take care of it for you.
- He was surprised to discover what a talent he had for producing sexually explicit pap.
- They understood what a big deal it was to him, and completely want to make him feel connected and loved.
interrogative adverbwɒt 2Used to indicate an estimate or approximation. see you, what, about four? 3dated, informal Used for emphasis or to invite agreement.
Phrases and (or or) what have you informal And/or anything else similar. all these home-made sweets and cakes and what have you Example sentencesExamples - I am asking is there no surveillance for example, on turkey and so on, or chicken or what have you?
- ‘There's a lot of other people in life that don't get second chances,’ he said, ‘or have diseases or have a freak accident or what have you.’
- I mean, there are an awful lot of journalists who themselves were personally touched by it, either by seeing it or knowing a friend or what have you who were affected or killed or lost.
- It is not a case of something like drains or dry rot or what have you that he can do anything about.
- You can't be cutting educational programs, social welfare programs and what have you, and pushing tax cuts - which I think are very important for the economy - at the same time.
- With sword-wielding heroes back in fashion, the door is now open for the upcoming Troy, two parallel films about Alexander the Great, the allegedly final Star Wars episode, and what have you.
- They turn ‘waste’ into creative art - greeting cards, collage, brush paintings, decorative waste bins out of discarded biscuit tins and what have you.
- Some people have recently faulted others for commenting on only a small part of a piece - whether a blog post, a newspaper article, a book, or what have you.
- We have some fifty years of trying to address this problem through public avenues such as schools, government ads, policing programs, driver education, the penal system, and what have you.
- I don't really care for movies, nor do I follow TV shows, be they soap operas, sitcoms, variety shows, reality shows or what have you.
Synonyms and so on, and so forth, and so on and so forth, and the rest, and the like, or the like, and suchlike, or suchlike, and more of the same, or more of the same, and similar things, or similar things, et cetera et cetera, and others, among others, et al., etc.
informal And other similar things. Example sentencesExamples - He seems almost nervous, always looking down, fiddling with his tie and what not.
- Yes, I saw the camera and I was kind of dancing around in front of it and what not and wanted the camera to focus on me.
- It's a kind of status symbol to show you are modern, progressive, technically savvy and what not.
- The ‘big boys’ of the U.N. are discussing the arms race, the space programme and what not.
- I've - coming from war and what not and trying to get back myself back on my own feet, it's been hard.
- As a result, one finds even public places like the beach littered with plastic cups, bottles and leftover food and what not.
- Let us try to bluff him by painting our houses, buildings, apartments, hoardings and what not, in green.
- The advertisements are made through banners, boards and what not.
- It's in this cave and the bodies are pretty well decomposed though some still have hair and what not.
- Then negotiating with the studio and what not, I kind of fell out of the project.
Synonyms and so on, and so forth, and so on and so forth, and the rest, and the like, or the like, and suchlike, or suchlike, and more of the same, or more of the same, and similar things, or similar things, et cetera et cetera, and others, among others, et al., etc.
1Used when asking for information or an opinion on something. what about the practical angle? Example sentencesExamples - ‘Never mind her,’ muttered Mel, ‘what about us?’
- ‘So what about this date tonight ?’
- So it was a good thing that someone was surprised as she was also, but what about him?
- Those items are sometimes the work of other journalists, so what about their rights ?
- This is meant to be a tourist town, what about them?
- Me and a couple friends went on the anti-war marches… what about you?
- The water came late last night and disappeared three hours later… what about you?
- I went to take a walk with Katja, what about you?
- Uh… I'm just bored so I'm walking around the woods, what about you?
- If a hat on the bed is bad luck, what about a black cat wearing a hat, on a bed?
2Used to make a suggestion. Example sentencesExamples - ‘Well, sister,’ I said to her, ‘I am very pleased to see that you don't have any problem with walking, but what about my waltz ?’
informal For what reason? Example sentencesExamples - Of course I did not boot with it (I figured, what for?) and of course I had neglected to write-protect the floppy.
- ‘For Fate's sake, what for?’ he questions.
- Widening the probe (what for?) would expand that circle to hundreds and take months.
- She looks nervously at the floor and stammers, ‘Ok, but what for?’
- What about these children and people, they keep on appearing and I don't know what for?
- It's the elderly; young people despise them these days, and what for?
- I… guess that would be okay, but… ah, what for?
- Well, I guess, but that's a mighty long time, may I ask what for?
- After a moment or two, I said: ‘Dare I ask what for?’
- ‘Every country in the world is saying we must get an educated workforce, but what for?’
Example sentencesExamples - But what if you wanted to sell your house before the endowment policy was fully vested?
- This might not matter if the war were won easily, but what if the operation went wrong?
- But what if you are the user of a new product and want to write a review on it?
- Could be dangerous - what if they sneak into your house and nick half your record collection?
- Besides, what if expecting the worst actually makes it more likely to happen?
- But, what if the cyclist was there to inform you about a faulty brake light or indicator?
- But what if the doctor does not want to treat someone because he or she thinks that they would be an inadequate parent?
- And what if the Scots are left in some halfway house with a few bob in their pockets and nothing more?
- We don't like to think about it, but what if you lose your job or the roof of your house caves in?
- But what if it didn't happen that way and the Neanderthals were the ones left around?
2What does it matter if —? what if our house is a mess? I'm clean Example sentencesExamples - So what if it turns you into a complete basket case - at least it's always exciting, right?
- So what if Wodehouse died almost three decades ago, his works still sell well.
- So what if more houses get built on the outskirts of Dublin without proper local infrastructure.
- From a purely cricketing perspective, so what if Australia play a weakened Zimbabwe.
- So what if it was a Western classical concert, kids are after all kids, right?
- So what if their lyrical outbursts are in English, they capture the sound of inner city west Wales with precision and wit.
- So what if it's an inherited thing, as long as they don't have any real power?
- So what if it was the end of the day, the energy at the pub was infectious.
- I tried you six different times and so what if I called your house at six in the morning?
- So what if it led to the development of the electric gramophone and later took the form of radio and record player.
And as an additional point; moreover. Example sentencesExamples - And, what is more, this current of suppression is apparently not as reactive as it may appear.
- Like the political realm, the world of fundamentalism is marked by savvy use of persuasion; what is more, it always has been.
- And what is more, your presence helps preservation and provides work.
- And what is more, there is declining yield from successive generations of hybrid cattle.
- And what is more, it's a limited edition of 1,000 pieces only, each of which has been signed by Aishwarya.
- They do, however, represent a captive audience and, what is more, an audience in a highly receptive frame of mind.
- And, what is more, she points out to the reader that it is pure chance.
- The urban environment is ailing and, what is more, there are precious few ways in which to address its problems.
- And what is more, many even carry animal motifs and animal-friendly messages.
- They are coming in, in ever increasing numbers, and what is more, outspent visitors from every other part of the globe in 1999.
What is the news concerning —? Example sentencesExamples - And then what of the London electronic philosopher and Sunday footballer?
- Even talkback callers to this station have expressed their opinion but what of the teenagers themselves?
- Prospects for 2006 for Scotland are reasonably bright, but what of the longer-term picture?
- But what of the worst bits, the bits that make you cringe when you hear them?
- So, what of the other newsreaders that earn much more than you?
- But what of the strains of working as both a doctor and a poet in West Kerry?
- And what of the addiction to the massive cash injection into our local economy that our club culture has engendered?
- But what of the young who are part of the cricket crowds, some of whom are presumably born in England?
- And what of the heaths themselves, surely the main pull for both areas?
- If Orwell saw the contemporary killings of his age as lacking in drama and ‘story’, then what of ours?
Why should that be considered significant? Example sentencesExamples - My folks are away on holiday this week (yes, I've been living with my parents for the last year and a half, what of it?) and the thing I've been looking forward to most of all about having the house to myself for a week has been the food.
- ‘I changed shirts,’ Gary shrugged and turned back to the computer, ‘what of it?‘
- ‘Yes,’ I nodded with a sigh, ‘I knew your mother; what of it?’
- Ignoring his protests, I ordered him up to the cream guest room (and if Saro usually had the blue, what of it?) and to sleep until lunchtime.
- We've all witnessed you kissing him, so what of it?
Used to make a suggestion. what say we call a tea break? Example sentencesExamples - Formalities aside, what say we show you and your men to the palace?
- It's not like we have any other options, so what say we go inside?
- But what say people finally feel enough's enough and curse both houses by putting in community independents or Greens?
- Actually, Ed, what say we try and do the job properly - what with slavery still being a nasty blight on the face of the earth, and all?
- But what say that as a group, a particular race has a particular disposition to a disease.
- Look… I don't really need this right now, so what say we call it truce.
- Ok, what say we go get our stuff on, and go out to the pool?
- So, what say me and you go to your place for dinner?
- Well, it's been a long time coming and a long time promised but what say we splash a bit of spring water in the two combatants, release the aromas and let the taste off begin?
- Instead of expensive training programs, what say we just send these buyers down to a local ‘Harry's Hardware’ for a couple of hours?
informal What is useful or important. I'll teach her what's what Example sentencesExamples - Your mom might get what's what if you fill her in.
- I am having a meeting with the council and the police before planning permission goes through to see what's what, and then go from there.
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms wants to know what's what.
- Yes, you guessed it - the subject is the upcoming election, and the political scientists think they know what's what.
- So I've been doing this trial-and-error experiment to find out what's what.
- For those new to computers, our comprehensive Computer Beginners area will cut through the junk, jargon and technology to tell you what's what in plain English.
- De Niro's gravelly voice tells Scorsese: ‘I look you in the eye and tell you what's what.’
- Call back at four this afternoon and we'll tell you what's what.
- I find I'm losing track, though, of who's who and what's what.
- And as for the rumbustious cattle, typically I (dog free) found that a period gazing into their big brown eyes soon brought boredom to both parties and one can roll on without them charging along to see what's what.
Synonyms the facts, the details, the particulars, the picture, how things stand, the lie of the land, how the land lies, the case
Because of (used typically to introduce several causes of something) what with the drought and the neglect, the garden is in a sad condition Example sentencesExamples - She stuck around and chucked in a few ideas of her own - it would have seemed rude not to, what with everyone else having a go.
- It gradually took over my life - what with party activity and eight years being a Lambeth councillor.
- Still, I wouldn't want a romantic clinch with a new love at my age - what with all that cellulite and flab.
- We cannot check as we used to be able to what with no post offices.
- Well, it only makes sense, what with using all that valuable oxygen from the earth's atmosphere and all!
- We can control our death rate, what with medicines, wonder drugs and vaccinations.
- So I've been pretty busy the last couple of days, what with one thing and another.
- I'm finding it very difficult to sleep at night at the moment, what with all this hot weather we've been having.
- So what with the houses, the good jobs with plenty of money coming in and the pension safe, you can tell things are looking up.
- Here's a category that's heating up, what with all the new developments this year.
1informal What is the reason for —? what's with all the Christmas decor being out before Halloween? Example sentencesExamples - What's with all the carrots?
- What's with the fancy necklace?
- What's with all the questions?
- What's with her change of attitude?
- What's with every current hip hop song on the radio having a pitched up soul vocal sample on it?
2informal What is the matter or the problem with —? what's with Craig's face this week? Example sentencesExamples - Incidentally, what's with his hair?
- What's with my passport, pal?
- "What's with the face?"
- What's with that outfit?
- What's with her teeth, anyway?
- "What's with everyone?" "I'm just not feeling that well lately."
- What's with kids these days?
Origin Old English hwæt, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wat and German was, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin quod. Rhymes allot, begot, Bernadotte, blot, bot, capot, clot, cocotte, cot, culotte, dot, forgot, garrotte (US garrote), gavotte, got, grot, hot, jot, knot, lot, Mayotte, motte, not, Ott, outshot, plot, pot, rot, sans-culotte, Scot, Scott, shallot, shot, slot, snot, sot, spot, squat, stot, swat, swot, tot, trot, undershot, Wat, Watt, wot, yacht Definition of what in US English: whatpronoun 1interrogative pronoun Asking for information specifying something. I'm not sure what you mean Example sentencesExamples - So what is your general view of the response by the MPS in relation to these cases?
- I have no idea what drove him to begin playing music, what siren song it used to make him devote his life to it.
- In some ways that's no bad thing - what else is dance music for if not to compel you to boogie?
- You could be run over by the car of bad luck tomorrow, and what will it all have been for?
- Er, well excuse me, but what's left if those areas of your game aren't up to scratch?
- Back to the music, what can audiences in the south expect from Tony's current tour?
- If he was a fool, what were those his folly whipped into orgies of vicious mockery?
- One wonders why they want this information, and what it is used for once they have it.
- That again is accepted, but the question remains, what is the amount of the benefit?
- After an enormous amount of money and resources and judicial time what are we achieving?
- Yes, it raises money for charity but what is really funny about sitting in baked beans?
- All I can ask is, what has happened to all that money and what has actually improved?
- It seemed to me the whole sticky question of what small children are prepared to eat needed testing.
- It was clear that Japan faced a remarkable opportunity: but what was to be done with it?
- This information will be used to decide if you owe the money and what instalments you should pay.
- So why do we have music festivals, what do they achieve and where can it all go wrong - or right?
- When it didn't bring up any helpful information she asked me what it was going to be used in.
- If we did it in a normal car it would have been easier to do but what's the fun in that?
- So what would your view be of the result, if members of staff are brave enough to use the present procedure?
- How did you end up in the Music City and what are your thoughts on this musical milieu?
- 1.1 Asking for repetition of something not heard or confirmation of something not understood.
2relative pronoun The thing or things that (used in specifying something) what we need is a commitment Example sentencesExamples - Naturally we took the one which gave us the best view of what was going on.
- These guys are taking all the fun out of what was once the most gloriously unpredictable of games.
- Well, I have to report it wasn't a very good end to what was actually a lovely holiday.
- She would have wanted us all to be happy and to have fun so that is what we will do.
- I just spoke to a Staff Nurse who was lovely and knew exactly what she was talking about.
- Neither of these would be what we call fun but then, you know, it's not a fun situation.
- Bigger and better seems the only way to view what's destined to become another best seller.
- They may not thank you for offering them a fun companion when what they really need is a mother.
- Part of what makes football fun is that we all have different ways of looking at things.
- We tend to take a clear-cut view of what being a victim of crime entails, and who the victim is in every case.
- Adam says that the only thing remarkable about what he did was the speed at which he moved.
- Some people make fun of you but what's beautiful is that most people are interested.
- Plants are dormant and deciduous ones will have lost their leaves so there is a clear view of what needs to be done.
- Nevertheless, it is a lovely piece, and what I would have voted for if I had got round to it.
- No one expects us to win, so we just have to go out and give it our all, have a go at them and with a bit of luck who knows what we might achieve.
- Speakers will give their views on what the trust is doing well and where there is room for improvement.
- She sees everything and communicates to the staff her clear views on what should be happening.
- Of course, you need to build on your luck and that's what we aim to do against Coventry this weekend.
- And it was a fitting way to celebrate the start of what would become a remarkable reign.
- In order to understand people, we need to solicit their views or accounts of what they are doing.
- 2.1 (referring to the whole of an amount) whatever.
I want to do what I can to make a difference Example sentencesExamples - The coherent arrangement of the pictures allows one to seek out what one wishes to view.
- She should be able to have fun and do what she wants and not have people antagonising her.
- 2.2dialect Who or that.
the one what got to my house
3(in exclamations) emphasizing something surprising or remarkable. what some people do for attention! Synonyms what did you say, what, eh, i beg your pardon, beg pardon, sorry, excuse me, say again
determiner 1interrogative determiner Asking for information specifying something. do you know what excuse he gave me? Example sentencesExamples - The disappointment is that no one is sure what form Railtrack's replacement will take.
- You will not have access to the database, it will not be clear who has what information on you.
- You decide what kind of information you want to give out, and you start to get to know each other better.
- How would you class your own music, and what kind of styles do you particularly like?
- How will this affect the existence of money, and what sort of society might emerge as a result?
- That means a long car journey and, more to the point, an argument about what music to play.
- So what excuse does the council have for not allowing food waste in the green bins, it all rots down?
- Pat wanted to know what sort of amount we needed and how we'd use any money raised.
- Send us an email explaining what you feel you can bring to the station and what genre of music you play.
- It would work by asking you a series of questions about what music you like or dislike.
- Disputes often arise about what information was in fact provided in a given case.
- Can you explain your thoughts and what information were you receiving from the team at that time?
- So when it comes to buying music, what place is there for any form of brand loyalty?
- Now it looks as if the taxpayer will have to foot the whole bill and what sort of result is that?
- She only cycles at walking pace, so what excuse has she for not obeying the law and dismounting?
- By the time you had figured out what song you were hearing, they had switched to a new one.
- Pardon me, but what possible meaning can the word friend have in that sentence?
- They need to know precisely what information was placed before Treasury officials.
- We once had an enormous row because we couldn't decide what music to listen to in the car.
2relative determiner (referring to the whole of an amount) whatever. he had been robbed of what little money he had Example sentencesExamples - Stop ruining what little enjoyment some of us poor souls can manage to eke out of the average tedious day.
- This is just a small amount of what cruelty actually happens, and this is only in Britain as well.
- Under the Data Protection Act, you have the right to see what information is held about you.
- It is truly amazing what information is available if one is prepared to search for it.
- Read what information is available and pick up some tips on how to lessen the risk to yourself.
- This is a great film that may leave you reflecting on what luck you've been dealt in life.
- Could it be that the record companies no longer have control over what music is being bought?
- He flies down to Cataluna and tries to locate her based on what little information he has about her.
- Much of the debate centred on what money and powers the Government would give assemblies.
3(in exclamations) how great or remarkable. as predeterminer what a fool she was Example sentencesExamples - I should have known better than to comment on what a lovely morning it was this morning.
- So it comes as no surprise to discover what a great exercise it is for the lower body.
- He was surprised to discover what a talent he had for producing sexually explicit pap.
- I don't know if they will always be together but what an amazing understanding they have.
- He will have begun his work by then and what an amount of work he has to do.
- Only a simple plaque at the graveyard entrance hints at what a remarkable man he was.
- They understood what a big deal it was to him, and completely want to make him feel connected and loved.
- Such a rapid, dramatic, take always takes you by surprise but what a way to be surprised!
- He remarks what a lovely and expensive machine it is and that he will take care of it for you.
- Ask them about it and you might understand what a significant impact it had on the era.
adverb 2Used to indicate an estimate or approximation. see you, what, about four? 3dated, informal Used for emphasis or to invite agreement.
Usage On the distinction between what ever and whatever, see whatever Phrases and (or or) what have you informal And/or anything else similar. for a binder try soup, gravy, cream, or what have you Example sentencesExamples - I don't really care for movies, nor do I follow TV shows, be they soap operas, sitcoms, variety shows, reality shows or what have you.
- They turn ‘waste’ into creative art - greeting cards, collage, brush paintings, decorative waste bins out of discarded biscuit tins and what have you.
- It is not a case of something like drains or dry rot or what have you that he can do anything about.
- I am asking is there no surveillance for example, on turkey and so on, or chicken or what have you?
- We have some fifty years of trying to address this problem through public avenues such as schools, government ads, policing programs, driver education, the penal system, and what have you.
- ‘There's a lot of other people in life that don't get second chances,’ he said, ‘or have diseases or have a freak accident or what have you.’
- I mean, there are an awful lot of journalists who themselves were personally touched by it, either by seeing it or knowing a friend or what have you who were affected or killed or lost.
- With sword-wielding heroes back in fashion, the door is now open for the upcoming Troy, two parallel films about Alexander the Great, the allegedly final Star Wars episode, and what have you.
- You can't be cutting educational programs, social welfare programs and what have you, and pushing tax cuts - which I think are very important for the economy - at the same time.
- Some people have recently faulted others for commenting on only a small part of a piece - whether a blog post, a newspaper article, a book, or what have you.
Synonyms and so on, and so forth, and so on and so forth, and the rest, and the like, or the like, and suchlike, or suchlike, and more of the same, or more of the same, and similar things, or similar things, et cetera et cetera, and others, among others, et al., etc.
informal And other similar things. Example sentencesExamples - I've - coming from war and what not and trying to get back myself back on my own feet, it's been hard.
- He seems almost nervous, always looking down, fiddling with his tie and what not.
- The ‘big boys’ of the U.N. are discussing the arms race, the space programme and what not.
- It's in this cave and the bodies are pretty well decomposed though some still have hair and what not.
- As a result, one finds even public places like the beach littered with plastic cups, bottles and leftover food and what not.
- Let us try to bluff him by painting our houses, buildings, apartments, hoardings and what not, in green.
- Yes, I saw the camera and I was kind of dancing around in front of it and what not and wanted the camera to focus on me.
- The advertisements are made through banners, boards and what not.
- Then negotiating with the studio and what not, I kind of fell out of the project.
- It's a kind of status symbol to show you are modern, progressive, technically savvy and what not.
Synonyms and so on, and so forth, and so on and so forth, and the rest, and the like, or the like, and suchlike, or suchlike, and more of the same, or more of the same, and similar things, or similar things, et cetera et cetera, and others, among others, et al., etc.
1Used when asking for information or an opinion on something. what about the practical angle? Example sentencesExamples - If a hat on the bed is bad luck, what about a black cat wearing a hat, on a bed?
- This is meant to be a tourist town, what about them?
- So it was a good thing that someone was surprised as she was also, but what about him?
- ‘So what about this date tonight ?’
- Me and a couple friends went on the anti-war marches… what about you?
- I went to take a walk with Katja, what about you?
- Uh… I'm just bored so I'm walking around the woods, what about you?
- ‘Never mind her,’ muttered Mel, ‘what about us?’
- Those items are sometimes the work of other journalists, so what about their rights ?
- The water came late last night and disappeared three hours later… what about you?
2Used to make a suggestion. Example sentencesExamples - ‘Well, sister,’ I said to her, ‘I am very pleased to see that you don't have any problem with walking, but what about my waltz ?’
informal For what reason? Example sentencesExamples - Of course I did not boot with it (I figured, what for?) and of course I had neglected to write-protect the floppy.
- What about these children and people, they keep on appearing and I don't know what for?
- I… guess that would be okay, but… ah, what for?
- After a moment or two, I said: ‘Dare I ask what for?’
- She looks nervously at the floor and stammers, ‘Ok, but what for?’
- ‘For Fate's sake, what for?’ he questions.
- ‘Every country in the world is saying we must get an educated workforce, but what for?’
- Widening the probe (what for?) would expand that circle to hundreds and take months.
- Well, I guess, but that's a mighty long time, may I ask what for?
- It's the elderly; young people despise them these days, and what for?
Example sentencesExamples - But what if you wanted to sell your house before the endowment policy was fully vested?
- This might not matter if the war were won easily, but what if the operation went wrong?
- But what if it didn't happen that way and the Neanderthals were the ones left around?
- Besides, what if expecting the worst actually makes it more likely to happen?
- And what if the Scots are left in some halfway house with a few bob in their pockets and nothing more?
- But what if the doctor does not want to treat someone because he or she thinks that they would be an inadequate parent?
- We don't like to think about it, but what if you lose your job or the roof of your house caves in?
- But, what if the cyclist was there to inform you about a faulty brake light or indicator?
- But what if you are the user of a new product and want to write a review on it?
- Could be dangerous - what if they sneak into your house and nick half your record collection?
2What does it matter if —? what if our house is a mess? I'm clean Example sentencesExamples - So what if it turns you into a complete basket case - at least it's always exciting, right?
- So what if it was the end of the day, the energy at the pub was infectious.
- So what if their lyrical outbursts are in English, they capture the sound of inner city west Wales with precision and wit.
- So what if it led to the development of the electric gramophone and later took the form of radio and record player.
- I tried you six different times and so what if I called your house at six in the morning?
- From a purely cricketing perspective, so what if Australia play a weakened Zimbabwe.
- So what if Wodehouse died almost three decades ago, his works still sell well.
- So what if it's an inherited thing, as long as they don't have any real power?
- So what if it was a Western classical concert, kids are after all kids, right?
- So what if more houses get built on the outskirts of Dublin without proper local infrastructure.
And as an additional point; moreover. Example sentencesExamples - Like the political realm, the world of fundamentalism is marked by savvy use of persuasion; what is more, it always has been.
- And, what is more, this current of suppression is apparently not as reactive as it may appear.
- The urban environment is ailing and, what is more, there are precious few ways in which to address its problems.
- They are coming in, in ever increasing numbers, and what is more, outspent visitors from every other part of the globe in 1999.
- And, what is more, she points out to the reader that it is pure chance.
- And what is more, your presence helps preservation and provides work.
- And what is more, there is declining yield from successive generations of hybrid cattle.
- And what is more, it's a limited edition of 1,000 pieces only, each of which has been signed by Aishwarya.
- And what is more, many even carry animal motifs and animal-friendly messages.
- They do, however, represent a captive audience and, what is more, an audience in a highly receptive frame of mind.
What is the news concerning —? Example sentencesExamples - But what of the worst bits, the bits that make you cringe when you hear them?
- So, what of the other newsreaders that earn much more than you?
- And what of the heaths themselves, surely the main pull for both areas?
- But what of the young who are part of the cricket crowds, some of whom are presumably born in England?
- Prospects for 2006 for Scotland are reasonably bright, but what of the longer-term picture?
- And then what of the London electronic philosopher and Sunday footballer?
- But what of the strains of working as both a doctor and a poet in West Kerry?
- Even talkback callers to this station have expressed their opinion but what of the teenagers themselves?
- And what of the addiction to the massive cash injection into our local economy that our club culture has engendered?
- If Orwell saw the contemporary killings of his age as lacking in drama and ‘story’, then what of ours?
Why should that be considered significant? Example sentencesExamples - My folks are away on holiday this week (yes, I've been living with my parents for the last year and a half, what of it?) and the thing I've been looking forward to most of all about having the house to myself for a week has been the food.
- ‘Yes,’ I nodded with a sigh, ‘I knew your mother; what of it?’
- We've all witnessed you kissing him, so what of it?
- ‘I changed shirts,’ Gary shrugged and turned back to the computer, ‘what of it?‘
- Ignoring his protests, I ordered him up to the cream guest room (and if Saro usually had the blue, what of it?) and to sleep until lunchtime.
Used to make a suggestion. what say we take a break? Example sentencesExamples - So, what say me and you go to your place for dinner?
- It's not like we have any other options, so what say we go inside?
- Instead of expensive training programs, what say we just send these buyers down to a local ‘Harry's Hardware’ for a couple of hours?
- Well, it's been a long time coming and a long time promised but what say we splash a bit of spring water in the two combatants, release the aromas and let the taste off begin?
- Ok, what say we go get our stuff on, and go out to the pool?
- Formalities aside, what say we show you and your men to the palace?
- But what say that as a group, a particular race has a particular disposition to a disease.
- But what say people finally feel enough's enough and curse both houses by putting in community independents or Greens?
- Actually, Ed, what say we try and do the job properly - what with slavery still being a nasty blight on the face of the earth, and all?
- Look… I don't really need this right now, so what say we call it truce.
informal What is useful or important. I'll teach her what's what Example sentencesExamples - So I've been doing this trial-and-error experiment to find out what's what.
- De Niro's gravelly voice tells Scorsese: ‘I look you in the eye and tell you what's what.’
- And as for the rumbustious cattle, typically I (dog free) found that a period gazing into their big brown eyes soon brought boredom to both parties and one can roll on without them charging along to see what's what.
- I find I'm losing track, though, of who's who and what's what.
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms wants to know what's what.
- I am having a meeting with the council and the police before planning permission goes through to see what's what, and then go from there.
- Your mom might get what's what if you fill her in.
- For those new to computers, our comprehensive Computer Beginners area will cut through the junk, jargon and technology to tell you what's what in plain English.
- Yes, you guessed it - the subject is the upcoming election, and the political scientists think they know what's what.
- Call back at four this afternoon and we'll tell you what's what.
Synonyms the facts, the details, the particulars, the picture, how things stand, the lie of the land, how the land lies, the case
Because of (used typically to introduce several causes of something) what with the drought and the neglect, the garden is in a sad condition Example sentencesExamples - She stuck around and chucked in a few ideas of her own - it would have seemed rude not to, what with everyone else having a go.
- I'm finding it very difficult to sleep at night at the moment, what with all this hot weather we've been having.
- Still, I wouldn't want a romantic clinch with a new love at my age - what with all that cellulite and flab.
- So I've been pretty busy the last couple of days, what with one thing and another.
- So what with the houses, the good jobs with plenty of money coming in and the pension safe, you can tell things are looking up.
- Here's a category that's heating up, what with all the new developments this year.
- We can control our death rate, what with medicines, wonder drugs and vaccinations.
- Well, it only makes sense, what with using all that valuable oxygen from the earth's atmosphere and all!
- It gradually took over my life - what with party activity and eight years being a Lambeth councillor.
- We cannot check as we used to be able to what with no post offices.
Used for emphasis in questions, typically expressing surprise or confusion. what ever did I do to deserve him? Example sentencesExamples - They thought he'd like to praise me in person, now what ever gave them that idea?
- I thought to myself: what ever would prompt a person to make such a statement as this?
Origin Old English hwæt, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wat and German was, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin quod. |