how

adverb \ ˈhau̇ \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

Here's how usage breaks down, overall and by generation.

— carrie dann, NBC News, "Which tech giants rule when it comes to influencing our daily lives?," 17 Apr. 2018
Wade and colleagues asked 164 men and women to review the 21 reconciliation acts generated in the first experiment, and to consider how effective each act might be if it was done to reconcile with them personally.

— cindi may, Scientific American, "How To Reconcile With A Romantic Partner," 17 Apr. 2018
The students spent 15 minutes identifying and analyzing how three TV characters reacted to stressful moments.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "U46 schools testing pilot program to help kids work through traumas," 17 Apr. 2018
After the game, the Buckeye Talk trio of Bill Landis, Doug Lesmerises and I recapped the notable storylines, including how the quarterbacks looked and Thayer Munford and Isaiah Prince switching sides on the offensive line.

— tim bielik, cleveland.com, "How Michigan's spring season ended with a closed scrimmage: Buckeye Breakfast," 16 Apr. 2018
The aerial video analyzed by the network showed in up-close detail how most of the vast border remains unfenced and essentially unsecured.

— anne ryman, azcentral, "Arizona Republic and USA TODAY NETWORK win Pulitzer Prize for border wall project," 16 Apr. 2018
That data is also plugged into Open Heritage in a virtual tour of Bagan, which shows how the area looked before and after the earthquake hit.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Check Out the World’s Largest Archive Digitally Preserving At-Risk Heritage Sites," 16 Apr. 2018
Jurors already heard how Alexandria was reported missing and how the teenager’s body was found in the woods near the Osceola-Polk county line.

— gal tziperman lotan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Jurors hear evidence of teenager's sexual assault, will decide whether mother's boyfriend deserves death penalty," 16 Apr. 2018
Villagers Dufka interviewed across the border in Mali described how the group’s leader gave out soccer balls to Peul youth.

— eric schmitt, BostonGlobe.com, "Niger ambush suspect may be in custody," 16 Apr. 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

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

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

The Guardian reported on Thursday that a network of right-wing think tanks has released a how-guide to undermining teachers’ strikes.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "The backlash to the teachers’ strikes has arrived.," 13 Apr. 2018
The rest of his know-how came from trial and error.

— liz ohanesian, Los Angeles Magazine, "A Masked Musician From Boyle Heights Is Using Technology to Build Community," 13 Apr. 2018
Likewise, Taylor contributes business know-how and creative experience from her Bib and Tucker Sew-Op nonprofit.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Collaborative community space hosts music, art shows," 12 Apr. 2018
The Smithfield acquisition gave the Chinese company access to advanced agribusiness know-how and high-quality U.S. pork to sell to middle-class consumers in China.

— lucy craymer, WSJ, "Bringing Home the Bacon Gets Costly for Chinese Firms With U.S. Units," 11 Apr. 2018
Given their youth and inexperience, the Philadelphia 76ers drastically needed some of that NBA know-how.

— brendan marks, charlotteobserver, "How ex-Duke star J.J. Redick has survived bear-hugs, the eye test to thrive in NBA | Charlotte Observer," 1 Apr. 2018
Critics fumed that, even as Chinese companies gained Western know-how, German ones were facing discrimination in China.

— The Economist, "Europeans fret that Chinese investment is a security risk," 22 Mar. 2018
Beech used her scientific know-how to identify vulnerabilities and chokepoints not in satellite systems but in osteosarcoma.

— andrew nusca, Fortune, "A Cure for Her Son's Bone Cancer Proved Elusive. So She Resolved to Punch It in the Face.," 20 Mar. 2018
Its success shows the value of openness, strong institutions and investment in know-how.

— The Economist, "Uruguay’s record-setting economic growth streak," 28 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of how

see ¹how

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1533

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

how Synonyms

Synonyms

approach, fashion, form, manner, method, methodology, recipe, strategy, style, system, tack, tactics, technique, way;

Related Words

mode, modus operandi;

blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, intrigue, layout, line, model, plan, plot, program, route, scheme;

expedient, move, shift, step;

practice (also practise), process, routine;

policy;

HOW Defined for English Language Learners

how

adverb

: in what manner or way : by what means
: for what reason
: to what degree, extent, or amount

how

conjunction

: in what manner or way
: in whatever way

HOW Defined for Kids

how

adverb \ ˈhau̇ \

1 : in what way : by what means

How do you work this thing?

How did they get here?

2 : for what reason

How can you treat me so badly?

3 : to what degree, number, or amount

How cold is it?

4 : in what state or condition

How are you?

— how about

: what do you say to or think of

How about a soda?

— how come

: ¹why

— how do you do

: hello

how

conjunction

: in what manner or condition

We're studying how plants grow.

I asked them how they were.

Learn More about how

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Examples of how in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of how

how Synonyms

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how

Examples of how in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of how

how

Examples of how in a Sentence

Recent Examples of how from the Web

Origin and Etymology of how

how Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

HOW Defined for English Language Learners

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how

HOW Defined for Kids

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