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how

how

∞ 1.0
The way something is done or happens
  • adverb
  • /haʊ/
: cómo
  • And that's how you end up meeting Ron, right?
  • know how
  • understand how
  • learn how

So I was like, how do I negate that?

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Examples

  • I just have to figure out how this thing works.

  • I can't figure out how he got that message.

  • Let me show you how much you mean to me.

  • Will you explain to me how that got there?

  • So today, let's learn how you can make new friends.

  • Let's see how good he is!

  • You have raised a few questions, too: How does Alice feel about her brother's absence?

    Academic text (2011)
  • I can't even begin to imagine how you felt.

  • How have the students been mentored, and how did this support our project goals?

    Academic text (2011)
  • Can you explain how you solved this difficult math problem?

Idioms

735 3.2

Something is true whatever way it happens

164 1.0

To ask someone how old they are

how do you do
  • Formal
101 6.1

A formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time that does not need an answer

God knows how
  • Informal
25 8.6

In a way that no one can explain

17 5.1

To ask someone to explain how or why something is true

how goes it
  • Archaic
11 8.5

To ask someone how they are when you meet them

1 9.4

To ask someone how their work or task is going

and how
  • Informal
1 8.6

Shows that you agree strongly with what someone says

1 9.9

Show strong anger and disbelief at someone's words or actions

People say it to boast about something they or someone else did

1 9.9

A joking way to say roles have been switched

Say this when you cannot give a clear answer because it depends on things you do not know

any old how
  • Informal
1 8.8

In a careless, messy way

9.9

A friendly informal greeting that asks how someone is doing

9.9

To ask how a situation is going, often as a joke about time passing

A fact stays true whatever way you look at it

Give advice to someone who already knows more than you

Compounds

480 4.1

Practical skill and experience for doing technical tasks

how-do-you-do
  • Archaic
1 9.3

An awkward or difficult situation that causes trouble

how-do-you-do
  • Formal
1 8.2

A polite, formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time

how-d'ye-do
  • Archaic
9.9

An awkward problem that causes a fuss

Surface Forms

how positive
hower comparative
howest superlative

Etymology

How comes from the old English word hū meaning 'in what way', and it is in the same family as question words like who and what. So to ask how is to ask about the way or method something is done.