what's

American  

[hwuhts, hwots, wuhts, wots, hwuhts, wuhts] / ʰwʌts, ʰwɒts, wʌts, wɒts, ʰwəts, wəts /

1. contraction of what is or what has:

   What's the matter? What's been done?

2. contraction of what does: What's she do for a living?

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Usage

See contraction.

Example Sentences

If there’s tension in your relationship over money, think about what’s bothering you and bring it up in a nonblaming way, she advises.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

But what’s extra notable about the sputtering tech partnerships of the 2020s is how baldly they smack of desperation.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

My instinct, when something tastes like it hasn’t quite come together, is to look at what’s already there and push it further.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

"We're seeing fatty liver disease in younger and younger people. So we're really happy to make some inroads into understanding what's driving it and identifying cell types we might be able to target."

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

She has no idea what’s spinning in his head.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila