what

pronoun

(used interrogatively as a request for specific information): What is the matter?
(used interrogatively to inquire about the character, occupation, etc., of a person): What does he do?
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the origin, identity, etc., of something): What are those birds?
(used interrogatively to inquire as to the worth, usefulness, force, or importance of something): What is wealth without friends?
(used interrogatively to request a repetition of words or information not fully understood, usually used in elliptical constructions): You need what?
(used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something, usually used in elliptical constructions): What of it?
how much?: What does it cost?
(used relatively to indicate that which): I will send what was promised.
whatever; anything that: Say what you please. Come what may.
the kind of thing or person that: He said what everyone expected he would. They are just what I was expecting.
as much as; as many as: We should each give what we can.
the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic clauses): He went to the meeting and, what was worse, insisted on speaking.
(used to indicate more to follow, additional possibilities, alternatives, etc.): You know what? Shall we go or what?
(used as an intensifier in exclamatory phrases, often followed by an indefinite article): What luck! What an idea!
British. don’t you agree?: An unusual chap, what?
Nonstandard. that; which; who: She’s the one what told me.