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

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

Adverb

• even so
• howbeit
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• notwithstanding
• still
• still and all
• though
• withal
• 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

Roughly 30 dead dogs were uncovered in total, however, officials could only recover the remains of 18 because some had decomposed to the point their bodies were liquefied. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 Apr. 2024

Complicating this picture, however, is some startling data from a Wall Street Journal poll of seven battleground states, released last week, that supports the vibes theory. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2024

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

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