or what

idiom
UK: /ɔː(r) wɒt/
US: /ɔːr wʌt/

  1. Used at the end of a question to ask someone to explain something more fully, or to show you are surprised or annoyed.

    1. You want me to do what, or what? [ ] [ ]
    2. So I'm supposed to just forget about it, or what am I supposed to do now? [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

what then or something
or what interjection

  1. Used to express a challenge or threat.

    1. Are you looking at me, or what? [ ] [ ]
    2. You gonna stop me, or what do you intend to do about this situation right now? [ ] [ ]
or what adverb

  1. An expression used to seek clarification or confirmation, implying disbelief or impatience.

    1. You're leaving, or what? Explain! [ ] [ ]
    2. Is this the end, or what is going to happen next in this ridiculous story? [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "or what" is /ɔː(r) wɒt/ in British English and /ɔːr wʌt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "or what": what then, or something.

Example usage of "or what": "You want me to do what, or what? ". More examples on the page.