what's-her-name
See also: whatshername and what'shername
English
Alternative forms
- what'shername, whatshername, what's-'er-name, what's'ername, what'sername, whats'ername, whatsername, whatsename, whasername
- who's-her-name, who'shername, whoshername, whosername
- what's-her-butt, what'sherbutt, whatsherbutt (Canada, US, uncommon)
Etymology
Univerbation of what's + her + name.
Pronoun
what's-her-name (plural what's-their-names)
- (informal, chiefly in the singular) A woman whose identity is unknown or forgotten (especially when better-known to the listener).
- Near-synonyms: what's-her-face (what's-his-face, what's-their-face); whatchamacallher (whatchamacallhim); you-know-who; so-and-so; see also Thesaurus:what's-their-name
- Coordinate terms: what's-his-name, what's-their-name
Noun
what's-her-name (plural what's-her-names)
- (informal, derogatory, chiefly in the plural) A passing (female) acquaintance of no importance or relevance.
- Coordinate terms: what's-his-name, what's-their-name
Usage notes
- Note that the plural is what's-their-names for the pronoun and what's-her-names for the noun.
- Reduced forms such as whatsename and whasername are only used for the pronoun, and typically only in speech.