what about
idiom
1
: does that include (someone) : how about (someone)
"We're all going to the beach." "What about Kenny?"
2
: how does that affect (someone or something) : what should be done about (someone or something)
"I need to leave—something has come up." "What about the meeting?" "We'll have to reschedule it."
What about the people who can't afford health insurance?
3
—used to make a suggestion about what could be done
We'll need to talk about this again. What about (meeting) next week?
There's still time. What about playing another game?
4
—used to ask someone to tell one something in response to the thing that one has just said
I like skiing and hiking. What about you? What sports do you like?
Everyone else is coming. What about you?
Examples of what about in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But what about the other shortage that’s been happening on the ground?
—
Jason Truppi, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Spanx Cut Prices on Shapewear and Intimates Stocking up on fall clothes has likely been top of mind, but what about what’s underneath?
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
But what about the second — arguably, more difficult — part of the question, which is where dust comes from?
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
And what about the kids that had no realistic chance to play professional or even college sports but might benefit from the confidence boost inherent in making a team?
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for what about
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jason Truppi, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Spanx Cut Prices on Shapewear and Intimates Stocking up on fall clothes has likely been top of mind, but what about what’s underneath?
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
But what about the second — arguably, more difficult — part of the question, which is where dust comes from?
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
And what about the kids that had no realistic chance to play professional or even college sports but might benefit from the confidence boost inherent in making a team?
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for what about
Cite this Entry
“What about.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what%20about. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share