Wherewithal means the money, resources, or ability needed to accomplish something. If your class wants to throw a pizza party but lacks the wherewithal to pay for it, you don't have enough money. If a scientist has a brilliant idea for an experiment but not the wherewithal to build the necessary equipment, she lacks the tools and resources to make it happen.

The word often refers to money, but it can mean any kind of means or capability. A student might have the wherewithal to finish a challenging project, meaning they possess the skills, determination, and resources to see it through. An explorer in the 1800s needed the wherewithal to survive months at sea: ships, supplies, crew, and the mental toughness to endure hardship.

When someone asks, “Do we have the wherewithal to do this?” they're really asking, “Do we have what it takes?” The word captures everything necessary to get something done: practical resources (like money or equipment) combined with inner qualities (like knowledge or determination). Having the wherewithal means being truly equipped to tackle whatever challenge lies ahead.