<p><strong>pronoun</strong></p><ul><li>(used interrogatively as a request for specific information): What is the matter?</li><li>(used interrogatively to inquire about the character, occupation, etc., of a person): What does he do?</li><li>(used interrogatively to inquire as to the origin, identity, etc., of something): What are those birds?</li><li>(used interrogatively to inquire as to the worth, usefulness, force, or importance of something): What is wealth without friends?</li><li>(used interrogatively to request a repetition of words or information not fully understood, usually used in elliptical constructions): You need what?</li><li>(used interrogatively to inquire the reason or purpose of something, usually used in elliptical constructions): What of it?</li><li>how much?: What does it cost?</li><li>(used relatively to indicate that which): I will send what was promised.</li><li>whatever; anything that: Say what you please. Come what may.</li><li>the kind of thing or person that: He said what everyone expected he would. They are just what I was expecting.</li><li>as much as; as many as: We should each give what we can.</li><li>the thing or fact that (used in parenthetic clauses): He went to the meeting and, what was worse, insisted on speaking.</li><li>(used to indicate more to follow, additional possibilities, alternatives, etc.): You know what? Shall we go or what?</li><li>(used as an intensifier in exclamatory phrases, often followed by an indefinite article): What luck! What an idea!</li><li>British. don't you agree?: An unusual chap, what?</li><li>Nonstandard. that; which; who: She's the one what told me.</li></ul><p><strong>noun</strong></p><ul><li>the true nature or identity of something, or the sum of its characteristics: a lecture on the whats and hows of crop rotation.</li></ul><p><strong>adjective</strong></p><ul><li>(used interrogatively before nouns): What news? What clothes shall I pack?</li><li>whatever: Take what supplies you need.</li></ul><p><strong>adverb</strong></p><ul><li>to what extent or degree? how much?: What does it matter?</li><li>(used to introduce a prepositional phrase beginning with with): What with storms and all, their return was delayed.</li><li>Obsolete. for what reason or purpose? why?</li></ul><p><strong>interjection</strong></p><ul><li>(used in exclamatory expressions, often followed by a question): What, no salt?</li></ul><p><strong>conjunction</strong></p><ul><li>Older Use. as much as; as far as: He helps me what he can.</li></ul>