whatnot

1 of 2

pronoun

what·​not

ˈ(h)wät-ˌnät,

ˈ(h)wət- 

: any of various other things that might also be mentioned

paper clips, pins, and whatnot

whatnot

2 of 2

noun

1

: a nondescript person or thing

2

: a light open set of shelves for bric-a-brac

Synonyms

Pronoun

• what all
• whatever

Noun

• dingus
• doodad
• doohickey
• hickey
• thingamabob
• thingamajig
• thingumajig
• thingummy
• whatchamacallit
• whatsit
• whatsis
• what-is-it

Examples of whatnot in a Sentence

Pronoun

You can use the container to hold paper clips, pins, and whatnot.

the drawer is full of spare pens, paper clips, stray elastics and whatnot

Noun

the store sells an array of whatnots for the do-it-yourself plumber

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Most of the other Looney Tunes characters are always trying to murder each other, hunting wabbits and whatnot. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024

For some people’s success is having a well-rounded life and family and whatnot. —Rachael Skinner, SPIN, 16 Dec. 2024

So there’s been lots and lots documented about my corporate career, about my corporate life, even via my social media and Instagram and whatnot. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 23 Nov. 2024

In a day and age where things are more transient and whatnot, that guy put his head down and kept working. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Pronoun

what not?

First Known Use

Pronoun

1540, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

whatnot

1 of 2 pronoun

what·​not ˈhwät-ˌnät 

ˈhwət-,

ˈwät-,

ˈwət-

: any of various other things that might also be mentioned

hummingbirds and hawks and owls and whatnot

whatnot

2 of 2 noun

: a light open set of shelves