[hwuht, hwot, wuht, wot; unstressed hwuh
t, wuht] 
| 1. | (used interrogatively as a request for specific information): What is the matter? |
| 2. | (used interrogatively to inquire about the character, occupation, etc., of a person): What does he do? |
| 3. | (used interrogatively to inquire as to the origin, identity, etc., of something): What are those birds? |
| 4. | (used interrogatively to inquire as to the worth, usefulness, force, or importance of something): What is wealth without friends? |
| 5. | (used interrogatively to request a repetition of words or information not fully understood, usually used in elliptical constructions): You need what? |
| 6. | (used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something, usually used in elliptical constructions): What of it? |
| 7. | how much?: What does it cost? |
| 8. | (used relatively to indicate that which): I will send what was promised. |
| 9. | whatever; anything that: Say what you please. Come what may. |
| 10. | the kind of thing or person that: He said what everyone expected he would. They are just what I was expecting. |
| 11. | as much as; as many as: We should each give what we can. |
| 12. | the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic clauses): He went to the meeting and, what was worse, insisted on speaking. |
| 13. | (used to indicate more to follow, additional possibilities, alternatives, etc.): You know what? Shall we go or what? |
| 14. | (used as an intensifier in exclamatory phrases, often fol. by an indefinite article): What luck! What an idea! |
| 15. | British. don't you agree?: An unusual chap, what? |
| 16. | Nonstandard. that; which; who: She's the one what told me. |
| 17. | the true nature or identity of something, or the sum of its characteristics: a lecture on the whats and hows of crop rotation. |
| 18. | (used interrogatively before nouns): What news? What clothes shall I pack? |
| 19. | whatever: Take what supplies you need. |
| 20. | to what extent or degree? how much?: What does it matter? |
| 21. | (used to introduce a prepositional phrase beginning with with): What with storms and all, their return was delayed. |
| 22. | Obsolete. for what reason or purpose? why? |
| 23. | (used in exclamatory expressions, often fol. by a question): What, no salt? |
| 24. | Older Use. as much as; as far as: He helps me what he can. |
| 25. | but what, Informal. but that; but who; who or that … not: Who knows but what the sun may still shine. |
| 26. | Say what? Slang. (used esp. among teenagers) What's that you say? Would you repeat that? |
| 27. | So what? Informal. (an expression of disinterest, disinclination, or contempt.) |
| 28. | what for,
|
| 29. | what have you, other things of the same kind; so forth: money, jewels, stocks, and what have you. |
| 30. | what if, what would be the outcome if; suppose that: What if everyone who was invited comes? |
| 31. | what it takes, something that enables one to achieve success or attain a desired end, as good looks, ability, or money: There's a young woman who has what it takes to get along in the world. |
| 32. | what's what, Informal. the true situation; all the facts: It's high time you told him what's what. |
| so 1 (sō) adv.
interj. Used to express surprise or comprehension: So! You've finished your work at last. [Middle English, from Old English swā; see swo- in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: Many critics and grammarians have insisted that so must be followed by that in formal writing when used to introduce a clause giving the reason for or purpose of an action: He stayed so that he could see the second feature. But since many respected writers use so for so that in formal writing, it seems best to consider the issue one of stylistic preference: The store stays open late so (or so that) people who work all day can buy groceries. · Both so and so that are acceptably used to introduce clauses that state a result or consequence: The Bay Bridge was still closed, so (or so that) the drive from San Francisco to the Berkeley campus took an hour and a half. · So is frequently used in informal speech to string together the elements of a narrative. In most cases, this practice should not be carried over into formal writing, where readers need connections to be made more explicit. · Critics have sometimes objected to the use of so as an intensive meaning "to a great degree or extent," as in We were so relieved to learn that the deadline had been extended. This usage is most common in informal contexts, perhaps because, unlike the neutral very, it presumes that the listener or reader will be sympathetic to the speaker's evaluation of the situation. Thus one would be more apt to say It was so unfair of them not to invite you than to say It was so fortunate that I didn't have to put up with your company. For just this reason, the construction may occasionally be used to good effect in more formal contexts to invite the reader to take the point of view of the speaker or subject: The request seemed to her to be quite reasonable; it was so unfair of the manager to refuse. See Usage Note at as1. New England speakers often use a negative form such as so didn't where other varieties would use the positive so did, as in Sophie ate all her strawberries and so didn't Amelia. Since this usage may confuse a speaker who has not previously encountered it, it is best avoided in writing. |
so what
Who cares? What does it matter? For example, You're not going to the beach today? Well, so what, you can go tomorrow, or So what if she left without saying goodbye
she'll call you, I'm sure. [First half of 1900s] Also see what of it.