how

adverb

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\ ˈhau̇

Definition of how

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : in what manner or way How did you two meet each other? How did he die? How do you know that?

b : for what reason : why How would I know if it's going to rain or not?

c : with what meaning : to what effect How are we to interpret such behavior?

d : by what name or title How art thou called?— William Shakespeare

2 : to what degree or extent How much longer do we have to wait? I don't know how old she is.

3 : in what state or condition How are you? How do you feel?

4 : at what price how a score of ewes now— Shakespeare

how about

: what do you say to or think of how about it, are you going?

how come

: how does it happen that : why How come you can't go?

how

conjunction

Definition of how (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : the way or manner in which asked how they could help the story of how the company was founded remember how they fought also : the state or condition in which reported how the patient was found by the paramedics

b : that told them how he had a situation— Charles Dickens

2 : however, as a reader can shift his attention how he likes— William Empson

how

noun

Definition of how (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a question about manner or method the eternal whys and hows of small children— Jeanne Massey

2 : manner, method examining the hows and whys of exercise

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing how Learn More About how

Examples of how in a Sentence

Adverb How and where did you meet him? How shall I address the President? How will we pay for the trip? “How did you get here?” “By bus.” “How did she die?” “She had cancer.” How do you know that? How did you find us? How could you have known? How did you happen to move here? Conjunction We asked how we could help. Let me tell you how we'll pay for the trip. The book tells the story of how the company was founded. She explained how she came to live here. I don't know how the service is at the new restaurant. I remember how they fought. Be careful how you talk; you could get fired. She told us how she had to work hard. He knows how you are a valued employee. It's amazing how they completed the bridge so quickly. Noun the environmental activist eagerly launched into an explanation of the hows and whys of developing renewable energy sources See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Despite considerable grumbling over parking policies, many people also seem to enjoy how the city now has fewer cars. — Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 4 May 2022 What a heart breaking moment to show how much those 4 have been through together. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, 4 May 2022 Investors will parse comments from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell Wednesday afternoon for indications of how much the central bank may raise interest rates this year. — WSJ, 4 May 2022 That’s how much money was reportedly spent in Ohio’s Senate contest. — Nicholas Reimann, Forbes, 4 May 2022 Carbone is still working to calculate how much of it could make it into the reservoir. — Brittany Peterson, ajc, 4 May 2022 Shrinking the Fed’s balance sheet will add another layer of uncertainty surrounding how much the Fed’s actions may weaken the economy. — Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2022 In a testament to how much a couple months can change things, exes Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello both attended the Met Gala tonight—but separately this time after their breakup. — Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 3 May 2022 Tuesday's Ohio primary election is seen by many as a litmus test for how much power former President Donald Trump truly holds over the Republican Party. — ABC News, 3 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'how.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.