however
however - English
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA: /hɑʊˈɛvə/
- (US) enPR: houĕvʹər, IPA: /haʊˈɛvɚ/
- (NYC) IPA: /hɑwɛvə/
- Hyphenation: how‧ev‧er
Adverb
however (not comparable)
- (conjunctive) Nevertheless; yet, still; in spite of that.
- He told me not to do it. However, I did it anyway. / I did it anyway, however. / I, however, did it anyway.
- She wanted to go; however, she decided against it.
- I didn't argue with him; I still think, however, that he is wrong.
- (conjunctive) In contrast.
- The conference itself went very well. The party afterwards, however, was a disaster.
- (degree) To whatever degree or extent.
- However clear you think you've been, many questions will remain.
- (informal, manner) In any way that one likes or chooses; in a haphazard or spontaneous way.
- I don't care; just do it however.
- Nothing was really planned; things just happened however.
- (interrogative) How ever: an emphatic form of how, used to ask in what manner.
- I thought it was impossible. However were you able to do it?
- (obsolete) In any case, at any rate, at all events.
Usage notes
Traditionally, some commentators have objected to the use of "however" at the start of a sentence in the sense of "nevertheless", but in practice this is widely accepted.
The use of a comma before "however" as a means of connecting independent clauses in the sense of "nevertheless", as in "She wanted to go, however she decided against it", is an error, equivalent to using "however" as a proscribed conjunction (see below). Compare the correct sentence "She wanted to go, but she decided against it", which uses a true conjunction "but".
Synonyms
- (nevertheless): nonetheless, notwithstanding, that said, still and all; in any case, after all, anyway; see also nevertheless and regardless
- (to whatever degree): ad lib, howsoever, howso
- (regardless of the way in which): anyhow, howsoever, howso
- (emphatic how): how + the dickens (see the dickens)
Translations
|
|
Conjunction
however
- Regardless of the way in which.
- Let me know when you've had your interview, however it goes.
- However we do this, it isn't going to work.
- In any way in which.
- She offered to help however she could.
- Wear your hair however you want.
- (proscribed) But, yet, though, although.
- *She wanted to go, however she decided against it. (proscribed)
Usage notes
See the usage notes for adverb senses, above.