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

Small miscellaneous items or odds and ends.

"The drawer was full of buttons, string, and whatnot."

Other similar things left unnamed; "and so on."

"She talked about her job, her kids, and whatnot."

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 notes

In plain EnglishA catch-all word for miscellaneous things, or (older use) a small display shelf.

Common pairings

and whatnot bits and whatnot

Word forms

whatnots plural

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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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nicknack knickknack bric-a-brac knickknackery

Related words

knickknackery trinket trifle

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.

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knickknackery trinket trifle