# wha

CEFR C2 · Interjection

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wha
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a short way of saying 'what' when you are very surprised or did not hear someone. You use it to show you are shocked or confused.

For teachers: a non-standard or phonetic spelling of 'what', used to represent a sudden, clipped expression of surprise or disbelief. Often appears in dialogue to indicate a speaker's confusion or lack of comprehension.

## Examples

- Wha? I can't believe he said that.
- She stared at the bill in total shock and could only manage a quiet 'wha?' before looking up.
- The character's frequent use of 'wha' instead of the full interrogative serves to highlight his constant state of bewilderment and his informal, colloquial manner of speaking.

## Usage notes

- Used primarily in informal writing or scripts to represent spoken dialect or sudden shock.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.