somewhat

1 of 2

pronoun

some·​what ˈsəm-ˌ(h)wət 

ˈsəm-ˌ(h)wät,

(ˌ)səm-ˈ(h)wət,

(ˌ)səm-ˈ(h)wät

: something

somewhat

2 of 2

adverb

: in some degree or measure : slightly

Synonyms

Adverb

• enough
• fairly
• kind of
• kindly [chiefly Southern]
• like
• moderately
• more or less
• pretty
• quite
• rather
• relatively
• something
• sort of

Examples of somewhat in a Sentence

Adverb

He felt somewhat awkward in his suit.

Our work has progressed somewhat.

The course is somewhat more difficult than I was told it would be.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

With the team in a somewhat barren run, Inter supporters would love to see the 28-year-old making a trademark surge into the box and bag a crucial goal. —Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025

In terms of violence, it's got plenty of gunfight and action scenes, plus one somewhat main character gets shot in the face early in the movie. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2025

Back in the 1970s, my aunt and uncle had tired of the era’s standard foreign-vacation fare—Western Europe, the Caribbean—and decided to venture somewhat farther afield. —Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 3 May 2025

The Ducks are currently going through a somewhat monster renovation of the Honda Center at a cost of $1 billion. —Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Pronoun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing somewhat

• somewhat of

Rhymes for somewhat

• butternut
• cocoanut
• coconut
• hazelnut
• undercut
• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut

Kids Definition

somewhat

1 of 2 pronoun

some·​what ˈsəm-ˌ(h)wät 

-ˌ(h)wət;

(ˌ)səm-ˈ(h)wät,

-ˈ(h)wət

: some unspecified part or amount : something

somewhat of what you say is true

somewhat

2 of 2 adverb

: in some measure : slightly

somewhat comfortable