or what?

INFORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase or what?

Meaning

You can add this to a question if you're getting impatient or frustrated.

For example

  • I'd been waiting for ten minutes, so I said, "Are you ready yet, or what?"

  • When Max asked his boss to repeat the instructions, his boss said, "Are you deaf, or what?"

Quick Quiz

Cathy said to the waiter, "Is there a problem in the kitchen, or what?" She was

a. worried about the kitchen staff

b. sick of waiting for the food

c. worried about getting sick
a) worried about the kitchen staff b) sick of waiting for the food c) worried about getting sick

Contributor: Matt Errey