Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

what in tarnation

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.21 in modern English

Syllables: what in -tar-na-tion
IPA

21

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

intj

Used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning a question.

Example Sentences

"2003. Judith Silverstein, Michael Lasky, "Online dating for dummies" What in Tarnation to Write I still remember the first girl I called up for a date at age 15."
"Other euphemisms of this type (and there are many) include what in tarnation for what in damnation and what the Sam Hill for what the damn hell."
"2007. Diane Stanley. "The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy" Page 141. “What in tarnation do you think you're doing?”"
"What in tarnation have you done with my wallet!?"

Synonyms

what the dickens what on Earth what the Devil what the fuck

Questions

What does what in tarnation mean?: Used to add emphasis to "what" when beginning a question.

How to pronounce what in tarnation

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “what in tarnation”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “what in tarnation”.
Repeat and practice — Say “what in tarnation” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.