wherewithal

American  

[hwair-with-awl, -with-, wair-] / ˈʰwɛər wɪðˌɔl, -wɪθ-, ˈwɛər- /

noun

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

   the wherewithal to pay my rent.

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adverb

1. by means of which; out of which.

2. Archaic. wherewith.

pronoun

1. wherewith.

wherewithal British  

noun

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

   these people lack the wherewithal for a decent existence

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pronoun

1. a less common word for wherewith wherewith

Etymology

Origin of wherewithal

First recorded in 1525–35; where + withal

Example Sentences

Only a small number of firms reported having the wherewithal to switch suppliers or relocate production.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Berkshire has the wherewithal of a huge stock buyback given that it’s sitting on o ver $350 billion of cash.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Fund III’s larger size gives Blueprint the wherewithal to make follow-on investments in the fund’s holdings, including backing add-on acquisitions, according to Lewis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

You have a lot to do, but you have the wherewithal to do it.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 18, 2025

I ask, trying to be as delicate as I have the wherewithal to be.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland