used to ask as an interrogative expressing enquiry about the identity, nature, purpose, occupation, etc or value of something or somebody
What are these?
I wonder what he meant
used rhetorically with the effect of a negative statement
What is wealth without friends?
used to ask for repetition of something not properly heard or understood
He bought what?
used as an interrogative expressing enquiry about the character, occupation, position, or role of a person
What is she like?
used to as an exclamation expressing surprise or excitement and frequently introducing a question
What, no breakfast?
used to direct attention to a statement that the speaker is about to make
Guess what
chiefly Brit, informal, dated used like a question-tag demanding assent
A clever play, what?
non-standard that, which, or who
that which; the one that
He has no income but what he gets from his writing
whatever
Say what you will
used in exclamations: how much
What it must cost!
used at the end of a question to express enquiry about additional possibilities
Is it raining, snowing, or what?
used to make suggestions
what news or plans do you have concerning (somebody or something)
used to make a suggestion
used to replace a forgotten name
for what purpose or reason; why
informal punishment, esp by blows or by a sharp reprimand
She gave him what for
She gave the other driver what for
any of various other things that might also be mentioned
paper clips, pins, and what have you
what will or would be the result if
what does it matter if
the qualities or resources needed for success
what have you
what is the situation with respect to (somebody or something)
what importance can be assigned to (something)
what does it matter
used to replace a forgotten name
the true state of things
He knows what's what when it comes to fashion
what would you like to drink
having as a contributory circumstance
I'm very busy what with all this extra paperwork
I'm very busy what with all these guests to feed