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how

how

1.0
Shows surprise about the degree or quality of something
  • interjection
  • /haʊ/
translation icon : qué
  • And how could you, how could you not see that?

At that point, I could just say how horrible, right?

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Examples

  • And you're thinking, wow, how great would this be?

  • Another one I got you guys, how good is this?

  • Oh my God, guys, look how good this looks.

  • Oh my word, look at how huge those are.

  • I mean wow, look at how crazy long this list is.

  • I'm so happy with how this has turned out.

  • Oh my gosh, guys, how insane is this booth?

  • Oh my goodness, just look at how beautiful this painting is!

  • Can you believe how fast he ran in that race?

  • Wow, how amazing is this new restaurant we found!

Idioms

and how
  • Informal
250 8.6

Shows that you agree strongly with what someone says

how do you do
  • Formal
86 6.1

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

51 3.2

Something is true whatever way it happens

To ask someone how old they are

19 5.1

To ask someone to explain how or why something is true

how goes it
  • Archaic
2 8.5

To ask someone how they are when you meet them

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

any old how
  • Informal
8.8

In a careless, messy way

God knows how
  • Informal
8.6

In a way that no one can explain

9.9

A friendly informal greeting that asks how someone is doing

9.4

To ask someone how their work or task is going

9.9

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

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

9.9

A joking way to say roles have been switched

9.9

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

A fact stays true whatever way you look at it

Give advice to someone who already knows more than you

Compounds

136 4.1

Practical skill and experience for doing technical tasks

how-do-you-do
  • Formal
8.2

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

how-do-you-do
  • Archaic
9.3

An awkward or difficult situation that causes trouble

how-d'ye-do
  • Archaic
9.9

An awkward problem that causes a fuss

Surface Forms

how main

Etymology

How comes from the old English meaning 'in what way', and for a long time speakers have used it before an adjective to show surprise or strong feeling. So saying 'How amazing!' uses how to show the strong degree or quality of something.