how Meaning & Definition
What Does How Mean?
How is used as a symbol meaning ISO 639-3 language code for Honi. As an adverb, it means To what degree or extent. As a conjunction, it means Used to state that something is in a certain way or state.
How: Key Facts
| Part of speech | symbol, adverb, conjunction, interjection, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //haʊ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | however |
| Plural | hows |
How Definition (Symbol)
- ISO 639-3 language code for Honi.
How as an Adverb
- To what degree or extent.
How often do you practice?
- In what manner:
By what means.
How do you solve this puzzle? –Sorry, I can't remember how.
- By what means.
How do you solve this puzzle? –Sorry, I can't remember how.
- With overtones of why, for what reason.
How should I know whether he likes raisins or not? Ask him!
- In what form, shape, measure, quantity, etc.
How are you fixed for money?
- With what meaning or effect.
How the stock market interprets events has real consequences.
- By what title or what name.
- At what price, for what amount (of money).
- In what state or condition.
How are you?
- In the manner in which.
I said it exactly how he said it.
- In any manner in which; in whatever way; however.
People should be free to live how they want.
- In which.
The way how you walk is funny.
- Used as a modifier to indicate surprise, delight, or other strong feelings in an exclamation.
How very interesting!
How as a Conjunction
- Used to state that something is in a certain way or state.
She told me how her father was a doctor.
How as an Interjection
- What?, pardon?
How as a Noun
- The means by which something is accomplished.
I am not interested in the why, but in the how.
Noun
- An artificial barrow or tumulus; in later folklore, associated with fairies.
- In northern England, a low hill.
Interjection
- A greeting, used in representations of Native American speech.
Adverb
- To what degree.
How often do you practice?
- In what manner.
How do you solve this puzzle?
- In what state.
How are you?
Conjunction
- The manner or way that.
I remember how I solved this puzzle.
- That, the fact that, the way that.
Noun
- An artificial barrow or tumulus.
- A small hill in northern England. (Usage preserved mainly in place names.)
Synonyms of How
How synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of How
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
How in a Sentence
How often do you practice?
The gauge indicated how hot the oven was.
How soon can I see the doctor?
How do you solve this puzzle? –Sorry, I can't remember how.
How else can we get this finished?
She showed him how to do it.
How should I know whether he likes raisins or not? Ask him!
How are you fixed for money?
How did you vote in the last election?
How do you like it here?
How the stock market interprets events has real consequences.
How are you?
How was your vacation?
I said it exactly how he said it.
People should be free to live how they want.
The way how you walk is funny.
How very interesting!
How wonderful it was to receive your invitation.
She told me how her father was a doctor.
I am not interested in the why, but in the how.
How do you solve this puzzle?
I remember how I solved this puzzle.
Word Forms & Grammar
how (not comparable)
how
how (plural hows or how's)
how (plural hows)
Words That Rhyme With How
Origin of How
Origin 1: From Middle English how, hou, hu, hwu, from Old English hū, from Proto-West Germanic *hwō, from Proto-Germanic *hwō (“through what, how”), from the same root as hwæt (“who, what”). /hw/ > /h/ due to wh-cluster reduction in Old English; compare who, which underwent this change later, and thus is spelt wh (Middle English spelling of /hw/) but pronounced /h/ (it previously had a different vowel, hence avoided the spelling and sound change in Old English). Vowel change per Great Vowel Shift.
Origin 2: Akin to Scots hoo, foo (“how”), North Frisian ho, hü, hur (“how”), Saterland Frisian wo (“how”), West Frisian hoe (“how”), Dutch hoe (“how”), Low German ho, wo, wu (“how”), German wie (“how”), Swedish hur (“how”). See who and compare why.
Origin 3: From Middle English howe, hough, hogh, partly from Old English hōh (“promontory”), and partly from Old Norse haugr (“a how, mound”). Compare Old French höe (“hillock, hill”), from the same Germanic source.
Origin 4: From a Siouan language; compare Lakota háu. Alternatively from Wyandot haau.
How to Pronounce How
You say how as //haʊ//. It has 1 syllable.
Questions People Ask About How
Is how a symbol or an adverb?
How is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as an adverb, a conjunction, an interjection and a noun.
What is another word for how?
You can replace how with words such as however. See the full list of how synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of how?
The plural of how is hows.