how
- 1In what way, or using what method.
Can you show me how to change a flat tire?
Nobody at the party could figure out how the magician did his card trick.
UsageSay how to do something, and tell me how it works (not
incorrect: tell me how does it work). - 2To what degree? Used before words like 'often', 'big' or 'soon'.
How long does it take to drive to the airport from here?
The gauge showed how hot the oven was.
UsageSay how far, how long, how much, how many.
Note
- 3In what state? Used to ask about someone's health or a situation.
How are you?
How was your holiday?
UsageAnswer How are you? with Fine, thanks.
- 4Used to mean 'that' or 'the fact that', as in 'she told me how her dad was a doctor'.
My grandpa likes to tell us how he once met a famous baseball player.
He mentioned how the shop had closed years ago.
Similarthat
Note
- 5Used at the start of an exclamation, as in 'how lovely!'.
How very interesting!
How wonderful to see you!
UsageSay how nice! but what a nice day! (not
incorrect: how nice day).Note
- 6Used like 'why', as in 'how should I know?'.
How should I know where he went?
How could you forget her birthday?
UsageSay how was I to know? when you couldn't have known.
- 7The way that, or any way that, as in 'do it how I showed you'.
On weekends, the kids can dress how they like.
Do it how you think best.
Similarhowever
Less common meanings
- 8The way something is done, as in 'the why and the how'.
I care less about the why than the how.
The film revisits the whos and hows of the robbery.
Note
- 9A greeting put in the mouths of Native Americans in old films and books.
The chief in the old western raised a hand and said 'how'.
Children playing at cowboys and Indians greeted each other with 'how'.
UsageSeen as a stereotype. Do not use it as a greeting.
Note
- 10At what price? In old use, as in 'how a score of ewes?'.
Shal. How a score of ewes now? Sil. Thereafter as they be: a score of good ewes may be worth ten pounds.
c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth,. Epilogue.”Here, how means at what price, so it asks what a score of ewes costs. - 11By what name? In old style, as in 'how art thou called?'.
"How art thou called? Thy name make known; Thy father's name and family,—tell me thy father's and thine own."
1907, Edward Byles Cowell, The JātakaHere, how means by what name, so it asks what you are called. - 12A small round hill, or an old burial mound.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of how apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origins
It comes from Old English "hū," meaning "how." It shares a root with "what" and "who."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- How comes from Old English hū. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English hū meant how. en.wiktionary.org
- How shares an etymological root with what and who. en.wiktionary.org
It comes from a Siouan language, like Lakota "háu," or possibly from Wyandot "haau."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The greeting comes from a Siouan language, with Lakota háu as a comparison. en.wiktionary.org
- Wyandot haau is an alternative proposed origin. en.wiktionary.org