how

adverb \ ˈhau̇ \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 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

And think of how many potentially toxic things are hanging out in your cabinets right at child-level, like cleaning supplies, medications, and beauty products.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018
The numbers do not include how many of the complaints have been dismissed or resolved.

— kimberlee kruesi, idahostatesman, "In wake of #MeToo, Idaho sees dramatic increase in sexual harassment claims," 12 July 2018
Here’s how to get the best bang for your buck at some of our favorite menus in the city.

— michael nagrant, RedEye Chicago, "Date night under $50: What to order at some of Chicago's best restaurants," 12 July 2018
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has no idea how to handle Brexit from a political or a policy standpoint; his own party is divided on the issue as well.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "The Brexit Crisis Finally Engulfs the Party That Started It," 11 July 2018
And a reminder of just how far the city — the city that raised both owners — has come.

— allie gross, Detroit Free Press, "1993 Corktown purchase sits on the edge of a jackpot," 13 July 2018
Her statement did not address how the use of Donnelly’s phone number in the text message got around a ban on inaccurate or misleading caller identification information.

— maureen groppe, USA TODAY, "How unsolicited text messages were sent to Hoosiers to put pressure on Sen. Joe Donnelly," 13 July 2018
These clinics are designed for children to learn the fundamentals of the game, how to dribble the ball with their feet, good defense and offense and the value of teamwork in what is considered a nurturing and supportive environment.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "Soccer clinics at area JCC focus on skills, sportsmanship," 13 July 2018
The account shows how power imbalances within the banking industry prevent whistleblowers from coming forward and why there have been so few #metoo stories that have come out of Wall Street despite its notorious frat boy culture.

— Longreads, "The Top 5 Longreads of the Week," 13 July 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

China is increasingly using its financial muscle to acquire talent and know-how from overseas.

— wenxin fan, WSJ, "How a Powerful Spy Camera Invented at Duke Ended Up in China’s Hands," 11 June 2018
There’s always a healthy dose of entrepreneurialism at Brainstorm Tech, and several startup savants will share their know-how at Brainstorm Tech.

— andrew nusca, Fortune, "VMware, AMD, GE, and the U.S. Air Force Are Coming to Fortune Brainstorm Tech 2018," 1 June 2018
There’s even a slick dropper-post lever, the company’s first, with ergonomics inspired by its substantial shift-button know-how.

— aaron gulley, Outside Online, "Shimano Unveils New XTR 9100 Components," 29 May 2018
Del Toro's create your own 2133 S. Halsted St. 312-733-7144 Show off your margarita know-how with Del Toro's create-your-own options.

— shelbie lynn bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "Where to find your new favorite margarita in Chicago," 4 May 2017
With its historically low barriers to entry -- a bit of capital and know-how were the major requirements for breaking into the business -- this marks a major change in the industry.

— justin lahart, WSJ, "Big Builders Are Remodeling the Housing Market," 13 July 2018
Discussion subjects will range from murder mysteries and border issues to illustration and the how-tos of writing.

— danielle hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Danielle's Report: U-T to host second annual San Diego Festival of Books," 5 July 2018
What: Children are given an engaging curriculum that helps them learn the how-tos of social entrepreneurship.

— mónica marie zorilla, Philly.com, "45 affordable summer camps for kids," 5 June 2018
The lake bottom looked like something out of one of those aerial photos of World War I’s bombed-to-bits battlefields, a kind of aquatic moonscape pocked by who-knows-how-many shallow craters.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "June spawn signals peak in Texas sunfish action," 3 June 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

Definition of how for English Language Learners

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

how

conjunction

Definition of how for English Language Learners

: in what manner or way
: in whatever way

HOW Defined for Kids

how

adverb \ ˈhau̇ \

Definition of how for Students

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

Definition of how for Students

: 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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Definition of 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

Definition of how

Examples of how in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of how

how

Definition of 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

how

Definition of how for English Language Learners

how

Definition of how for English Language Learners

HOW Defined for Kids

how

Definition of how for Students

how

Definition of how for Students

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