English Reference

Word

whatnot

Phoneticswhat·not, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈhwətˌnɑt/

UK/wˈɒtnɒt/

Definition

n. a short way of saying 'and so on' or 'and other things'. You use it when you want to mention a list of things without naming them all.

n. a colloquial contraction of 'and so on', used to indicate that a list is incomplete or that other similar items exist.

Examples

“I have all sorts of tools, like hammers, saws, and whatnot.”

“The kitchen is full of various spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and whatnot.”

“The museum's collection includes everything from ancient pottery to modern sculptures, and whatnot, making it a comprehensive overview of the region's artistic history.”

Examples

simple

“I have all sorts of tools, like hammers, saws, and whatnot.”

contextual

“The kitchen is full of various spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and whatnot.”

complex

“The museum's collection includes everything from ancient pottery to modern sculptures, and whatnot, making it a comprehensive overview of the region's artistic history.”

Etymology

From what + not.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

01. and whatnot

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Occasional
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/whatnot
English Reference