noun
whatnot
WOT-not
Whatnot (noun) means Small miscellaneous items or odds and ends. Example: “The drawer was full of buttons, string, and whatnot.”
noun
1
Small miscellaneous items or odds and ends.
"The drawer was full of buttons, string, and whatnot."
2
Other similar things left unnamed; "and so on."
"She talked about her job, her kids, and whatnot."
3
A freestanding set of shelves used to display ornaments.
"The china figurines sat on an antique whatnot in the hallway."
How to use whatnot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA catch-all word for miscellaneous things, or (older use) a small display shelf.
Common pairings
and whatnot
bits and whatnot
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Word forms
- Plural
- whatnots
Fill the gap
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The drawer was full of buttons, string, and _____.
Etymology
Formed from "what" plus "not," originally used as a catch-all phrase for unnamed items.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “whatnot” mean?
The word “whatnot” means small miscellaneous items or odds and ends. In plain terms, a catch-all word for miscellaneous things, or (older use) a small display shelf.
How do you pronounce “whatnot”?
“Whatnot” is pronounced WOT-not (/ˈwʌt.nɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “whatnot” in a sentence?
Here is “whatnot” used in a sentence: “The drawer was full of buttons, string, and whatnot.”
What part of speech is “whatnot”?
“Whatnot” is a noun.
How many meanings does “whatnot” have?
“Whatnot” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small miscellaneous items or odds and ends.
