so what? Definition

so¹
adverb

1. To such an extent.

Example: so expensive that nobody buys it
2. To this, that, or the same extent; as.

Example: This one is lovely, but that one is not so nice
3. Extremely

Example: She is so talented!
4. In that state or condition.

Example: promised to be faithful, and has remained so
5. Also; likewise.

Example: She's my friend and so are you
6. Used to avoid repeating a previous statement.

Example: You've to take your medicine because I said so

conj

1. Therefore; thereafter.

Example: He insulted me, so I hit him
2. In order that ....

Example: Lend me the book, so that I can read it
Example: Give me more time so I can finish it
Form: so that … (also)

adj

1. The case; true.

Example: You think I'm mad, but it's not so

exclamation

1. Used to express discovery

Example: So, that's what you've been doing!

Idiom: and so on (and so forth, and so on and so forth)

And more of the same; continuing in the same way.

Idiom: just so

Neatly, precisely or perfectly.
Example: with her hair arranged just so

Idiom: or so

Approximately.
Example: five or so days ago

Idiom: quite so

Exactly right; just as you have said.

Idiom: so as to ...

In order to ...; in such a way as to ....

Idiom: so be it

Used to express acceptance or defiant resignation.

Idiom: so far

To that, or to such an, extent or degree.
Example: I haven't managed to do any work so far
Thesaurus: thus far, until now, up to this point.

Idiom: so far so good

Everything is fine up to this point.

Idiom: so much (so many)

Such a lot
Example: so much work to do!

Just; mere.
Example: politicians squabbling like so many children

Idiom: so much for ...

Nothing has come of ...; that has disposed of or ruined ...
Example: So much for all our plans!

Idiom: so much so

To such an extent (that).

Idiom: so so

Moderate; average.
Example: How are you feeling? Oh, so so

Idiom: so to speak (so to say)

Used as an apology for an unfamiliar or slightly inappropriate expression.

Idiom: so what?

colloq
That is of no importance or consequence at all.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon swa.

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what
adj, pronoun

1. Used in questions, indirect questions and statements, identifying, or seeking to identify or classify, a thing or person.

Example: What street are we in?
Example: Tell me what flowers these are
Example: I've just realized what man you meant
2. Used in exclamations expressing surprise, sympathy or other emotions

Example: What! You didn't pass?
Example: What a fool!
Example: What she has to put up with!
3. Used as a relative pronoun or adjective: that or those which; whatever; anything that.

Example: It is just what I thought
Example: They gave what money they could
4. Used to introduce a suggestion or new information

Example: I know what ― let's go to the zoo!
5. Used to ask for a repetition or confirmation of something said.

Example: What? I didn't catch what you said

adverb

1. Used in questions, indirect questions and statements: to how great an extent or degree?

Example: What does that matter?

Idiom: give someone what for

colloq
To scold or punish them.

Idiom: know what it is

To know and understand what is involved in a particular action or experience; to have experienced or suffered it.
Example: He knows what it is to be bullied

Idiom: know what's what

colloq
To know what really goes on or what counts, etc; to know the truth of the matter.

Idiom: so what? (what of it?)

colloq
Why is that important?

Idiom: what about ...?

An expression used to make a suggestion or ask an opinion, etc
Example: What about stopping for a drink first?

Idiom: what else?

Could anything else be the case?

Idiom: what ... for?

For what reason ...? to what purpose ...?
Example: What did you do that for?

Idiom: what have you

colloq
Other such things; whatnot.
Example: CDs, records, tapes or what have you

Idiom: what if ...?

What would it matter if ...?
Example: What if she did leave for good?

What would happen if ...?
Example: What if he doesn't come back?

Idiom: what is more (what's more)

More to the point ...; in addition ....
Example: They came, and what's more, they stayed all evening

Idiom: what ... like?

A request for a description or opinion on someone or something
Example: What does he look like?
Example: What was the theatre like?

Idiom: what next?

Often said in despair: what is to be done next? what will happen next?

Idiom: what now?

What can be done now? what other options are there?

What is the meaning of this latest interruption? what is wrong now?

Idiom: what of ...?

What comes or follows from ...?

What is the news of ...?

Idiom: what of it?

See so what? above.

Idiom: what the hell

An expression of indifference or abandoned caution.
Example: Oh what the hell, I'll buy both of them

Idiom: what then?

What would be the consequence?

Idiom: what's new?

Tell me the latest news.

There's nothing new about that!
Example: She's drunk again. So what's new!

Idiom: what's up?

What's the matter? is something wrong?

Idiom: what's with ...?

colloq
What's the matter with ...?

Idiom: what with

Because of ...; taking account of ....
Example: We were exhausted, what with the delays and everything

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon hwæt.

Info:

○ What and which may both be used when asking questions about a choice, as in &wbox; although which generally implies a choice from a known or limited number of options, whereas what is used when the choice is unlimited or unspecified.

○ Take care not to add a what after than in comparative constructions such as&wbox; . What should only follow than when it means ‘that which' or ‘the things which', as in&wbox; .