however

1 of 2

conjunction

how·​ev·​er hau̇-ˈe-vər 

1

: in whatever manner or way that

will help however I can

2

archaic : although

however

2 of 2

adverb

1

a

: in whatever manner or way

I shall serve you, sir, truly, however else.

—William Shakespeare

b

: to whatever degree or extent

couldn't convince him, however hard she tried

has done this for however many thousands of years

—Emma Hawkridge

2

: in spite of that : on the other hand

still seems possible, however, that conditions will improve

would like to go; however, I think I'd better not

3

: how in the world

however did you manage to do it

Did you know?

Beginning a Sentence With However

However is one in a long list of words that students have been admonished to avoid placing at the beginning of a sentence (others include and, but, for, so, yet, and many more). Can you use however to start a sentence? Yes. Some usage guides will recommend against placing it there when the intended meaning is “nonetheless” but will allow it for other senses of however, but a considerable number of prominent (and not so prominent) writers utilize just this sense of however in the initial position. You should make your own judgment about such use and let your ear guide you regarding its appropriateness.

Synonyms of however

Adverb

• though
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• still
• yet

Examples of however in a Sentence

Conjunction

Do it however you like.

I will help however I can.

Adverb

I'm all out of eggs; however, I can still make us a nice breakfast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

There is, however, one moment which did cause Kavuma-McQueen to get a bit more carried away than usual. —Simon Johnson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026

The Mustangs, however, took a 4-3 advantage in penalty kicks in the shootout to oust Argyle 1-0 (SO 4-3) in the Class 5A Division 2 Region 1 Final on Tuesday at Northwest ISD Stadium. —Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

That didn’t stop criticism from the public and even some fellow Republicans, however. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026

Small towns struggle with big bills Not every Indiana town faces such problems, however. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for however

• endeavor
• endeavour
• forever
• soever
• whatever
• whenever
• wherever
• whichever
• whoever
• whomever
• bever
• clever

Kids Definition

however

1 of 2 conjunction

how·​ev·​er hau̇-ˈev-ər 

: in whatever way or manner

do it however you like

however

2 of 2 adverb

1

a

: in whatever manner or way

I'll get there however I can

b

: to whatever degree or extent

no prank, however innocent, was done

2

: in spite of that : on the other hand : but

I'd like to go; however, I'd better not