how-to
Americanadjective
noun
-
how-tos
plural
-
a set of step-by-step instructions for accomplishing a certain task or reaching a certain objective.
a how-to for fixing a leaky faucet.
-
the basic principles or approach for doing something.
the how-to of investing in the stock market.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of how-to
First recorded in 1925–30
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:
The part how-to book and part personal memoir is aimed at helping readers navigate the harsh political divisiveness in the culture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
Senior White House and Defense Department officials have discussed the threat of AI becoming a how-to guide for biological weapons since the Biden era, according to Trump administration officials.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
The streaming giant has signed agreements with publishers including Penske Media, BuzzFeed Studios, Conde Nast, Hearst Magazines and People Inc. to feature a range of news, lifestyle, celebrity and how-to video programming.
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
There’s just the president saying, “Hey, guys, you should do this,” with a promise of a how-to to come.
From Slate ● Oct. 21, 2025
She found two other homes and then dropped me off at my house after work with a Ziploc bag of puppy food and the usual how-to sheet we give out to adoptive families.
From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King
TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and celebrity websites feature slim influencers and "how-tos" for achieving those same results in no time.
From Salon ● Feb. 22, 2024
Because I knew the most English, I researched Americanized things and how-tos for my parents.
From New York Times ● Oct. 22, 2022
And the company’s Body Builder Advisory Service offers a range of guides and how-tos for cops that want to modify or improve their trucks with aftermarket equipment.
From The Verge ● Jul. 28, 2022
True Value has DIY project how-tos at truevalue.com/diy-projects.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2022
He doesn’t care if I can’t hear him, and he doesn’t need any how-tos.
From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
