how

adverb \ ˈhau̇ \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: how in a Sentence

Definition of how

1 a : 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?

See how defined for English-language learners

See how defined for kids

Examples of how in a Sentence

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?

Recent Examples of how from the Web

Although media reports don’t say how the fowl acquired the name, in my experience white people name everything.

— michael harriot, The Root, "I Wanted to Attend This Vigil For a Dead Chicken Just to Say I Was At The Whitest Thing That Ever Happened," 12 June 2018
No diehard fan wants to imagine himself as old Luke Skywalker, hiding on an island from everything new, anything that might shake his steadfast belief in how the world is supposed to be.

— marc bernardin, The Hollywood Reporter, "Toxic Fandom Is Killing 'Star Wars'," 11 June 2018
That’s how CRISPR Therapeutics is going after sickle cell disease.

— sharon begley, STAT, "A serious new hurdle for CRISPR: Edited cells might cause cancer, find two studies," 11 June 2018
These ideas, no matter how far-fetched, find broad appeal in western societies.

— adam mcgibbon, The New Republic, "There Is No Quick Fix for Climate Change," 11 June 2018
The state also released a concept paper on May 23 that describes broadly how the agencies might enforce the rule.

— adam ashton, sacbee, "Elon Musk's Tesla says new state rule punishes it for doing business in California," 11 June 2018
But this weekend, Universal revealed the first trailer—and boy, do Chazelle and company know how to set the stakes.

— nathan mattise, Ars Technica, "Trailer: 20th century’s greatest technical achievement goes Hollywood in First Man," 11 June 2018
Owner Bryan Duckworth will be happy to share how these instruments are lovingly restored.

— michelle newman, San Antonio Express-News, "New Braunfels: Your guide to shopping, dining and hotels," 11 June 2018
But how can objects so tiny emit microwaves so mighty that they can be glimpsed across hundreds of thousands of light-years?

— shannon hall, Scientific American, "Glittering Diamond Dust in Space Might Solve a 20-Year-Old Mystery," 11 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of how

Middle English, from Old English hū; akin to Old High German hwuo how, Old English hwā who — more at who

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

how Synonyms

Synonyms

where, wherein;

Related Words

thus, thusly;

accordingly, consequently, ergo, hence, so, thereupon, wherefore;

how

conjunction

Definition of how

1 a : 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

See how defined for English-language learners

Examples of how in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of how

see ¹how

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

how

noun

Definition of how

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

Examples of how in a Sentence

the environmental activist eagerly launched into an explanation of the hows and whys of developing renewable energy sources

Recent Examples of how from the Web

German immigrants who settled here in the mid-1800s brought with them the know-how to produce high-quality lagers, and ultimately dozens of breweries sprang up to cement the city’s stock in brewing.

— mike pramik, USA TODAY, "Milwaukee breweries from classic to craft," 6 June 2018
These labs, also known as biohacker spaces, are community hubs where people from diverse backgrounds and a range of ages meet to learn about biotechnology, work on projects, and share know-how and equipment.

— daniel grushkin, STAT, "Biohackers are about open-access to science, not DIY pandemics. Stop misrepresenting us," 4 June 2018
Lawler was impressed by the Ramones' farming know-how and chagrined by the loss of their 5-acre livelihood.

— john tuohy, Indianapolis Star, "Nation's largest urban farm nears opening in Fishers with a little help from Puerto Rico," 22 May 2018
The hope is that if VR technology becomes big, the financial services firm won’t be caught off guard and will have the know-how to create VR apps that resonate with consumers, Schouela said.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "Amazon and Fidelity Labs Collaborated on a Virtual Reality Financial Agent," 15 May 2018
Patagonia would offer small grants to local activists, give in-kind support through marketing know-how and business savvy, and amplify their message with customers.

— author: david gelles, Anchorage Daily News, "Patagonia v. Trump: Inside a battle over public lands," 6 May 2018
Needless to say, the American public was worried about this army of unofficial actors who had the ability and the know-how to tap into the rapidly expanding telephone network.

— april white, Smithsonian, "A Brief History of Surveillance in America," 22 Mar. 2018
The medical and technological know-how appears to be there.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A new treatment may give a blind Wauwatosa toddler the gift of sight," 25 Jan. 2018
While Hackbarth is the muscle behind Storywood Bowties — she individually sands, glues and shellacs each piece — John Davenport offers the technical know-how and Ali Muhammad is the founder and creator behind the Storywood Bowtie concept.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Want a unique, polished bow tie look without fiddling with a knot? Try a wooden one," 25 Jan. 2018