Is 'What?' really a question?

Question

When someone says 'What?' is that a litteral question?

Answer 1

i think it is like

"what?"

you're asking what they are talking about or what they said, and so on..but i'm not positive on that one

Answer 2

I don't think its a question but merely a request to repeat what was said previously, or more like a method of avoiding what was actually asked by pretending to not have heard and needing repetition. If it is a question then it's very ambiguous as saying what gives no clear indication to what your askin "what" for. hope this makes sense. :]

Answer 3

I dont think it is because when you say "what?" All your really doing is asking them to repeat what they said, or to go into a deeper explanation. Your not really asking a question like, " Did you watch the game last night?"

But then again, if its not a question, why does it have a question mark at the end?  Now im confused.....thanks