or what

1. A phrase following a statement that adds emphasis or suggests an option. For example, in Is this a good movie or what? the phrase asks for confirmation or agreement. However, it also may ask for an alternative, as in Is this book a biography or what? In the 1700s it generally asked for a choice among a series of options, and it still has this function, as in In what does John excel? in imagination? in reasoning powers? in mathematics? or what?

Example Sentences

People don't know what I am doing when I am home or what I do during my free time or talking to my brother.

From BBC

It was unclear what sort of banner the group was trying to hang — or what message they were trying to send.

From Los Angeles Times

"That's more important to them than what they're saying or what they stand for," he adds.

From BBC

"People ask you more about it. 'When are you hanging the boots up' or 'What's your plan after you finish'. I still feel like I can make an impact and I'm playing really well, especially in T20 cricket. I probably had the best couple of years of my career in that format."

From BBC

While the report, by Virginia-based consulting firm McChrystal Group, confirmed The Times’ reporting that first revealed the late evacuation orders, it did not detail exactly who or what was responsible for the breakdown, which county officials have previously called “an epic fail.”

From Los Angeles Times