somehow

American  

[suhm-hou] / ˈsʌmˌhaʊ /

adverb

1. in some way not specified, apparent, or known.

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idioms

1. somehow or other, in an undetermined way; by any means possible.

   She was determined to finish college somehow or other.

somehow British  

/ ˈsʌmˌhaʊ /

adverb

1. in some unspecified way

2. Also: somehow or other.  by any means that are necessary

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somehow More Idioms  

1. see under or other.

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Etymology

Origin of somehow

First recorded in 1655–65; some + how ¹

Explanation

Somehow means "in some unknown way" or "by some means." When you watch a superhero movie, you know that the heroine will somehow escape the trap set by the evil villain — you're just not sure exactly how she'll do it. Your best friend might not notice your new haircut, but he still might remark, "You look different somehow." When you use this adverb in this particular way, it means "in an unknown way or for an unknown reason." So your pal knows you changed something, but he can't quite figure out what it is. When somehow first appeared in print, around 1660, it was in the phrase "somehow or other."

Example Sentences

Within weeks, the former defender with a salt-and-pepper beard had pulled off a draw against Atlético Madrid and somehow beaten Barcelona.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

For at least one more year, the Sparks have to marinate in their past mistakes and hope that their veterans can somehow lay a foundation for their future..

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

But in order to outperform in the long run, investors have to somehow gain exposure to those few winning stocks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

I’d been working alone for years and somehow assembled a group of colleagues who had absolutely no HR department and even fewer boundaries.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

She somehow did not die then and still does not die in my mind.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• anyway