wherewithal

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

noun

1. that with which to do something; means or supplies for the purpose or need, especially money:

   the wherewithal to pay my rent.

adverb

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

pronoun

1. wherewith.

wherewithal

noun

1. the wherewithal
   the wherewithal necessary funds, resources, or equipment (for something or to do something)

   these people lack the wherewithal for a decent existence

pronoun

1. See wherewith
   a less common word for wherewith wherewith

Word History and Origins

Origin of wherewithal¹

First recorded in 1525–35; where + withal

Example Sentences

For now, both billionaires have notched big wins—earning their astronaut wings for themselves, and in the process legitimizing their companies’ claims that they have the wherewithal to open a new market for space tourism.

From Time

While the pandemic particularly hit SMBs, who often lacked the financial wherewithal of larger companies to survive the crisis, Gusto actually expanded its business as new companies sprouted up.

From TechCrunch

You might want to simulate varying power and speed, for example, if you have the wherewithal to deliver more elaborate experiences at certain simulated thresholds implementing a progressive enhancement strategy.

From Search Engine Land

If you feel that you do not know the bride well enough or have the personal wherewithal for a time-consuming computer event, then decline — no excuse or present necessary.

From Washington Post

So you have to reach over and take your temperature and then have the wherewithal to record it as well.

From Time

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

But a lawyer who needed the wherewithal finally condescended to risk the task, and into it he plunged.

From Project Gutenberg

Secondly, we had already been for some time at work to fix up the wherewithal to meet our chronic nightmare, the water trouble.

From Project Gutenberg

And how do you know that I have got wherewithal to pay the reckoning?

From Project Gutenberg

If they have wherewithal to persuade the Jury to bring it in Manslaughter, what are they the worse for it?

From Project Gutenberg

He immediately clamored for the wherewithal to fill an aching void that was making itself painfully felt in his midsection.

From Project Gutenberg