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Synonyms

howdy

1 American  
[hou-dee] / ˈhaʊ di /

noun

  • howdies
    plural
  1. hello; how do you do (used as an expression of greeting).


howdy 2 American  
[hou-dee] / ˈhaʊ di /

noun

Scot. and North England Slang.
  • howdies
    plural
  1. howdie.


howdy British  
/ ˈhaʊdɪ /
  1. an informal word for hello

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of howdy

First recorded in 1820–30; from the phrase how do ye?

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“Boy howdy is the media not ready for that.”

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 14, 2024

It was a jaded look at the whole affair, but boy howdy, would Cheney have deserved that revenge.

From Washington Post Jul. 22, 2022

“Finally, at last, boy howdy hey, welcome to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures,” Tom Hanks said at a media preview last week.

From Washington Times Sep. 29, 2021

And, boy howdy, was the choice to sit this one out to catch up with "The Crown" a smart one.

From Salon Feb. 5, 2020

It was like talking to somebody’s cousin who just stopped by to say howdy before getting on back to wherever he came from.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

It happened, however, that some unneighbourly person sent him notice of a clecking of tea chests, or brandy kegs, at which both Jenny and Betty Pawkie were the howdies.

From The Annals of the Parish; or, the chronicle of Dalmailing during the ministry of the Rev. Micah Balwhidder by John Galt

They errayed me before jedge an' jury," Uncle Jake went on, patting the jug affectionately, "an' I bowed my howdies.

From Mingo And Other Sketches in Black and White by Joel Chandler Harris

"Brer Rabbit, he bow'd his howdies ter Brer Wolf un shuck han's 'long wid 'im, des like nothin' aint never happen 'twixt 'um, un he up'n say: "'Ah-law, Brer Wolf!

From Nights With Uncle Remus Myths and Legends of the Old Plantation by Joel Chandler Harris

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