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 people within Israel and Palestine? —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025

And what about Buster Posey, a likely future Hall of Famer who retired following a 12-year playing career and now runs the Giants as their president of baseball operations? —Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

And what about fan-favorite series like Baby Reindeer or Shōgun—both big winners at the recent Golden Globes—and the slightly nicher (but no less beloved) Industry and Slow Horses? Vogue Daily newsletter Get essential fashion, style, and tips, in your inbox. —Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025

But what about the wild complexity of her narratives, the abrupt swerves and unannounced excursions? —Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025