wherewithal

1 of 3

noun

where·​with·​al ˈ(h)wer-wi-ˌt͟hȯl How to pronounce wherewithal (audio) -ˌthȯl How to pronounce wherewithal (audio)
: means, resources
specifically : money
didn't have the wherewithal for an expensive dinner

wherewithal

2 of 3

conjunction

wherewithal

3 of 3

pronoun

Did you know?

Wherewithal comes from where and withal (meaning "with"), and it has been used as a conjunction meaning "with or by means of which" and as a pronoun meaning "that with or by which." These days, however, it is almost always used as a noun referring to the means or resources a person has at one's disposal—especially financial resources.

Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence

Noun A project as big as this requires a lot of financial wherewithal. He doesn't have the wherewithal to finish what he started.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
With that attitude, and a team that has both great ambition and the wherewithal to achieve its goals, such admonishment shouldn’t be necessary that often. Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 2 Feb. 2025 Officials believe that no one should be living in the evacuation zone, regardless of their wherewithal or their supplies. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 In addition, Mizuhara suggests his lack of financial wherewithal played a contributing role in his mistakes. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025 But head coaches, who need to win games to keep their jobs, don’t have the wherewithal to focus on these things. Bruce Schoenfeld, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wherewithal

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction

where + withal entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1809, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

1534, in the meaning defined above

Pronoun

1583, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wherewithal was in 1534

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Cite this Entry

“Wherewithal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wherewithal. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

wherewithal

noun
where·​with·​al
ˈhwe(ə)r-wit͟h-ˌȯl,
ˈhwa(ə)r-,
ˈwe(ə)r-,
ˈwa(ə)r-,
-with-
: wealth sense 1, resources
especially : money sense 1b
the wherewithal to buy a house

More from Merriam-Webster on wherewithal

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