wherewithal

[hwair-with-awl, -with-, wair-]

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noun

that with which to do something; means or supplies for the purpose or need, especially money: the wherewithal to pay my rent.

adverb

by means of which; out of which.
Archaic. wherewith.

pronoun

wherewith.

Origin of wherewithal

First recorded in 1525–35; where + withal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for wherewithal

Contemporary Examples

Somebody maybe doesn't have the wherewithal to get out, the means to get out—I had that.
Harsh Truths About Domestic Violence: Why Voicing Terrible Experiences Can Help Others
Lizzie Crocker
September 20, 2014
I lack the wherewithal to start my own competing certifying board, to say nothing of the chutzpah.
Rand Paul and the Certification Racket
Russell Saunders
August 11, 2014
Those who have the wherewithal to shop online with greater ease and frequency have a greater ability to avoid sales taxes.
Three Cheers for the Internet Tax!
Daniel Gross
April 24, 2013
The British middle class no longer had servants--but they also lacked the wherewithal to obtain fancy new appliances.
American Household Gadget Exceptionalism
Megan McArdle
February 7, 2013
“Even if you had the wherewithal to embarrass a reporter, there was no mechanism to do it,” Mr. Cramer said.
Richard Ben Cramer Dies at 62
Justin Green
January 8, 2013

Historical Examples

You are poor and have not the wherewithal with which to nourish your mother.
The Chinese Fairy Book
Various
Those who had wherewithal to give in money or kind, had given.
The Law-Breakers
Ridgwell Cullum
She had nothing left for the evening, not even the wherewithal to buy a loaf.
His Masterpiece
Emile Zola
It's vexatious, when one has the wherewithal to pay for wetting his whistle!
The Downfall
Emile Zola
Or how could he be the richest of men who might even have to go begging, because he had not wherewithal to live?
Eryxias
An Imitator of Plato

British Dictionary definitions for wherewithal

wherewithal

noun (ˈwɛəwɪðˌɔːl)

the wherewithal necessary funds, resources, or equipment (for something or to do something)these people lack the wherewithal for a decent existence

pronoun (ˌwɛəwɪðˈɔːl)

a less common word for wherewith (def. 1), wherewith (def. 2)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for wherewithal

adv.

"means by which," 1530s, from where + withal. The noun is first recorded 1809.

wherewithal

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}wherewithal

Examples from the Web for wherewithal

Contemporary Examples

Somebody maybe doesn't have the wherewithal to get out, the means to get out—I had that.

I lack the wherewithal to start my own competing certifying board, to say nothing of the chutzpah.

Those who have the wherewithal to shop online with greater ease and frequency have a greater ability to avoid sales taxes.

The British middle class no longer had servants--but they also lacked the wherewithal to obtain fancy new appliances.

“Even if you had the wherewithal to embarrass a reporter, there was no mechanism to do it,” Mr. Cramer said.

Historical Examples

You are poor and have not the wherewithal with which to nourish your mother.

Those who had wherewithal to give in money or kind, had given.

She had nothing left for the evening, not even the wherewithal to buy a loaf.

It's vexatious, when one has the wherewithal to pay for wetting his whistle!

Or how could he be the richest of men who might even have to go begging, because he had not wherewithal to live?

wherewithal

Word Origin and History for wherewithal

adv.

Origin of wherewithal