how

¹ American  

[hou] / haʊ /

adverb

1. in what way or manner; by what means?.

   How did the accident happen?

2. to what extent, degree, etc.?.

   How damaged is the car?

3. in what state or condition?.

   How are you?

4. for what reason; why?.

   How can you talk such nonsense?

5. to what effect; with what meaning?.

   How is one to interpret his action?

6. what?.

   How do you mean? If they don't have vanilla, how about chocolate?

7. (used as an intensifier).

   How seldom I go there!

8. by what title or name?.

   How does one address the president?

9. at what price.

   How are the new cars going, cheaper than last year's models?

10. by what amount or in what measure or quantity?.

    How do you sell these tomatoes?

11. in what form or shape?.

    How does the demon appear in the first act of the opera? How does the medication come?

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conjunction

1. the manner or way in which.

   He couldn't figure out how to solve the problem.

2. about the manner, condition, or way in which.

   I don't care how you leave your desk when you go. Be careful how you act.

3. in whatever manner or way; however.

   You can travel how you please.

4. Informal. that.

   He told us how he was honest and could be trusted.

noun

1. a question concerning the way or manner in which something is done, achieved, etc..

   a child's unending whys and hows.

2. a way or manner of doing something.

   to consider all the hows and wherefores.

3. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter H.

idioms

1. how so? how does it happen to be so? why?.

   You haven't any desire to go? How so?

2. and how! certainly! you bet!.

   Am I happy? And how!

3. how come? how is it that? why?.

   How come you never visit us anymore?

4. Here's how, (used as a toast.)

how ² American  

[hou] / haʊ /

interjection

Facetious: Often Offensive.

1. (used as a greeting in imitation of American Indian speech.)

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how ¹ British  

/ haʊ /

adverb

1. in what way? in what manner? by what means?: how did it happen? Also used in indirect questions: tell me how he did it

2. to what extent?

   how tall is he?

3. how good? how well? what…like?

   how did she sing?

   how was the holiday?

4. used to suggest something

   how about asking her?

   how about a cup of tea?

5. what is your state of health?

6. informal what is the reason (that)?

   how come you told him?

7. 1. is this satisfactory as regards…?

      how's that for size?

   2. an exclamation used to draw attention to a quality, deed, etc

      how is that for endurance?

8. 1. what is your opinion?

   2. Also written: howzat.  cricket (an appeal to the umpire) is the batsman out?

9. archaic what is the meaning of this?

10. Also: as how.  not_standard that

    he told me as how the shop was closed

11. in whatever way

    do it how you wish

12. used in exclamations to emphasize extent

    how happy I was!

13. (intensifier) very much so!

14. (as a toast) good health!

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noun

1. the way a thing is done

   the how of it

how ² British  

/ haʊ /

1. a greeting supposed to be or have been used by American Indians and often used humorously

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how More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing how

• and how

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Sensitive Note

See firewater.

Etymology

Origin of how¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English hou, ou, hu, Old English hū; cognate with Old Frisian hū, ho, Dutch hoe; akin to Old High German hweo, German wie, Gothic hwaiwa

Origin of how²

First recorded in 1810–20; of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

By figuring out how to economically mass produce barbed wire, Glidden certainly solved a problem.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

He must also wait to see how long he is without Romero, whose downcast departure wiping away tears was yet another twist in this harrowing season.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

A CBS News poll published Sunday revealed that worry, stress and anger far outweigh safety and confidence, when those polled were asked how they feel about the war.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Corporate outlooks beyond the first quarter will be important to investors looking for clues about how the Iran conflict may impact consumer behavior, as sentiment has soured.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

“They most certainly do. I taught your dad how to make it for their wedding day!”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith