Who's who Meaning in English
expression
Definition
A list or explanation of the important people in a group, organization, or area; also used to describe knowing the key figures in a community or field.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is often used in professional, social, or academic contexts, sometimes for directories or books. It's usually neutral or slightly formal, and not typically used for casual groups of friends. When saying "a who's who," it means a group full of prominent people—for example, "The event was a who's who of the tech world."
Example Sentences
The magazine has a who's who of famous athletes.
basic
She gave me a who's who list of people at the party.
basic
Our teacher explained the who's who of the company.
basic
If you want to get ahead here, you need to know who's who.
natural
Walking into the meeting, it was like a who's who of industry leaders.
natural
Do you have a who's who so I can put faces to names?
natural