: any of various other things that might also be mentioned
paper clips, pins, and whatnot
1
: a nondescript person or thing
2
: a light open set of shelves for bric-a-brac
Synonyms
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
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
Speaking of technique, individual techniques — sfumato, chiaroscuro and whatnot — are explained and accompanied by reenactments of active artisanal hands engaged in those particular processes.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
Stallone swaggers around, knocking out men decades his junior with one punch, wooing beautiful women, and building the confidence of his ragtag bunch in between drafting them to participate in gun battles with biker gangs and whatnot.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whatnot 
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Noun
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
Speaking of technique, individual techniques — sfumato, chiaroscuro and whatnot — are explained and accompanied by reenactments of active artisanal hands engaged in those particular processes.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
Stallone swaggers around, knocking out men decades his junior with one punch, wooing beautiful women, and building the confidence of his ragtag bunch in between drafting them to participate in gun battles with biker gangs and whatnot.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whatnot
Dictionary Entries Near whatnot
Cite this Entry
“Whatnot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whatnot. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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