how Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
How as a 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!
To what degree.
How often do you practice?
In what manner.
How do you solve this puzzle?
In what state.
How are you?
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.
The manner or way that.
I remember how I solved this puzzle.
That, the fact that, the way that.
How as an Interjection
What?, pardon?
A greeting, used in representations of Native American speech.
How as a Noun
The means by which something is accomplished.
I am not interested in the why, but in the how.
An artificial barrow or tumulus; in later folklore, associated with fairies.
In northern England, a low hill.
An artificial barrow or tumulus.
A small hill in northern England. (Usage preserved mainly in place names.)
How in a Sentence
How often do you practice?
The gauge indicated how hot the oven was.
How soon can I see the doctor?
I didn't know how far to believe them
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: Key Facts
| Part of speech | symbol, adverb, conjunction, interjection, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /haʊ/ |
| Meaning | ISO 639-3 language code for Honi |
| Plural | hows |