How Do You Spell FOR WHAT?

Pronunciation: [fɔː wˈɒt] (IPA)

The phrase "for what" is spelled with the phonemes /f/ /ɔːr/ /w/ /ɒt/ in British English or /f/ /ɔr/ /wʌt/ in American English. The "f" is pronounced with the lips touching the upper teeth, followed by a long "o" sound, then a "w" sound made by rounding the lips while protruding them slightly. The final "t" is pronounced with a quick, percussive release of air. It is commonly used to inquire about the reason for something or to express confusion about a situation.

FOR WHAT Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "for what" is an interrogative expression commonly used in English language to inquire about the purpose, reason, or motive behind specific actions, occurrences, or decisions. It seeks to obtain clarification or justification for something.

   Inquisitively employed, "for what" is often used to question the motivation behind a particular event, action, or situation. For example, if someone were to say "He resigned his position. For what?", they are essentially asking why he decided to give up his post. It signifies an intent to understand the underlying cause or rationale behind the mentioned occurrence.

   Furthermore, "for what" can also serve as an expression of incredulity or astonishment. In this context, the phrase is utilized to emphasize the apparent lack of reason or justification for something. For instance, if someone were to exclaim "You paid $1,000 for what?", they are expressing surprise and skepticism about the value or worth of the item or service in question.

   In summary, "for what" is a versatile and commonly used phrase in English, functioning as an interrogative expression to seek clarification, justification, or to express incredulity. It effectively prompts the listener to provide further information or explanation regarding the purpose, reason, or motive behind a specific action, occurrence, or decision.

Common Misspellings for FOR WHAT

• dor what
• cor what
• vor what
• gor what
• tor what
• ror what
• fir what
• fkr what
• flr what
• fpr what
• f0r what
• f9r what
• foe what
• fod what
• fof what
• fot what
• fo5 what
• fo4 what
• for qhat
• for ahat

Etymology of FOR WHAT

The phrase "for what" does not have a specific etymology on its own, as it is a combination of two words with their respective origins.

1. "For" is a preposition derived from Old English "for", which has Indo-European roots. It can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word "peri", meaning "through" or "forward". Throughout history, "for" has taken on various meanings, including "in favor of", "in exchange for", "because of", and "with respect to".

2. "What" is a pronoun that originates from Old English "hwæt" and shares its roots with the Proto-Germanic word "hwat". These words were used to refer to something unknown or unspecified. The etymology of "what" traces back to the Proto-Indo-European word "kʷód", meaning "who" or "what".

Idioms with the word FOR WHAT

• see somebody/something for what they are/it is To see somebody or something for what they are/it is means to recognize and understand their true nature, character, or qualities. It involves perceiving someone or something accurately, without being deceived or influenced by appearances or false impressions.
• good for what ails you "Good for what ails you" is an idiom that refers to something that is believed to have therapeutic or restorative properties, often used humorously or figuratively to suggest that something is very effective or beneficial for improving one's well-being or solving a problem.
• recognize sth for what it is To recognize something for what it is means to understand or acknowledge the true nature or significance of a situation, person, or thing. It involves seeing beyond superficial appearances and comprehending the underlying reality or truth.
• for what it is worth The phrase "for what it is worth" is used to preface a statement or piece of advice that the speaker believes may not be very valuable or important, but they are offering it anyway. It is often used to express humility or uncertainty about the value of one's opinion or information.
• see (one) for what (one) (really) is To see someone for who they truly are; to perceive and understand someone's true character or nature, especially if it is different than what one initially thought.
• know one for what one is To see through someone's true intentions or character, usually revealing negative traits or motives that were previously hidden.
• for what it's worth The idiom "for what it's worth" is used to preface a statement or piece of advice that the speaker acknowledges may not be very valuable or helpful, but is offered anyway. It is often used to suggest that the speaker is not entirely confident in the significance or relevance of what they are about to say.
• see for what are