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how

how

26 1.0
A way something is done or happens
  • noun
  • /haʊ/
translation icon : manera
  • The teacher explained the how of solving the math problem step by step.
  • a how-to guide
  • a how-to book
  • know-how

Examples

  • Understanding the how of effective communication is essential in building relationships.

  • Can you describe the how behind your unique cooking technique?

  • But what matters is how you make people feel.

  • What do you know about how your brain works?

  • And that, my friends, is how we go to war.

  • That is not how it works in America.

  • I just want to show you how cool my light is.

  • We're getting a behind the scenes look at how science really works.

  • In the old days, the record labels knew how to launch new stars.

  • You need to learn how to resolve conflict.

Synonyms

way
vshow
1.0

How someone does something or how it happens

has identical meaning but is the standard term in the definition list
method
vshow
2.2

A planned way of doing something, often in clear steps

is broader covering general style and informal approaches too
manner
vshow
398 1.0

The way something is done or happens

is broader and includes organized procedure as well as style

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 singular
hows plural

Etymology

How comes from the old English meaning 'in what way', and this gives us the noun use that means the method or manner of doing something. So when people talk about 'the how' they mean the practical way or method to do a task.