what about
idiom
1
: does that include (someone) : how about (someone)
"We're all going to the beach." "What about Kenny?"
2
: how does that affect (someone or something) : what should be done about (someone or something)
"I need to leave—something has come up." "What about the meeting?" "We'll have to reschedule it."
What about the people who can't afford health insurance?
3
—used to make a suggestion about what could be done
We'll need to talk about this again. What about (meeting) next week?
There's still time. What about playing another game?
4
—used to ask someone to tell one something in response to the thing that one has just said
I like skiing and hiking. What about you? What sports do you like?
Everyone else is coming. What about you?
Examples of what about in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But what about your interest level?
—
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
But what about Jones’ life off-screen?
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
And what about those people — dedicated gamblers?
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2026
But what about the romantic aura?
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for what about
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Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
But what about Jones’ life off-screen?
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
And what about those people — dedicated gamblers?
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2026
But what about the romantic aura?
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for what about
Cite this Entry
“What about.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what%20about. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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