American English
/wət̚/
One syllable.
Used in a question to ask about a thing, an action, or information.
Practice out loudUsed in a question to ask about a thing, an action, or information.
What happened?
What do you need?
what happened · what do you mean · what is it · what's your name
what + verb
what + do/does/did + subject + base verb
Used before a noun to ask which thing, kind, or amount.
What color is your car?
What kind of music do you like?
Use what when the possible answers are open. Use which when you are choosing from a small, known group.
what kind of · what time · what color · what size
what + noun
what + kind of + noun
Used before a noun to express strong surprise, admiration, or another strong feeling.
What a beautiful day!
What terrible news!
what a surprise · what a shame · what a relief · what a mess
what + a/an + adjective + singular noun
what + adjective + plural or uncountable noun
Used to mean the thing or things that someone does, says, needs, or chooses.
I understand what you mean.
She knows what to do.
Here, what means “the thing that,” not a question.
what you mean · what I need · what to do · what to expect
what + subject + verb
what + to + base verb
Used to ask about another person or thing, or to suggest that it should be considered.
What about the cost?
Used to ask about a possible situation and its result.
What if the bus is late?
An informal greeting or a question about what is happening.
Hey, what's up?