however

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /hɑʊˈεvə/, SAMPA: /haU"Ev@/
• (US) enPR: houĕvʹər, IPA: /haʊˈɛvɚ/, SAMPA: /haU'Ev@`/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɛvə(r)
• Hyphenation: how‧ev‧er

[edit] Adverb

however (not comparable)

1. Nevertheless, nonetheless, even so, that said, in spite of this.

   He told me not to do it; however, I did it.

2. To whatever degree.

   However clear you think you've been, many questions will remain.

3. (chiefly British, as an intensified form in interrogatives) In what way; how.

   However did you do that?

[edit] Usage notes

• (nevertheless): Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style argues that the adverb however, in its sense of nevertheless should be avoided at the beginning of a sentence. Other style guides argue that however is overused in this sense, whether or not at the start of a sentence.

[edit] Synonyms

• after all
• but
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• notwithstanding
• though
• that said
• still and all

[edit] Translations

[edit] Conjunction

however

1. In whatever manner.

   Do it however you want.

2. To whatever extent.

   However far he may get, there'll be many that get further.

   However much you prepare for the exam, there will still be a few questions on which you won't be sure of the answer.

3. (proscribed) Although, though, but, yet.

[edit] Usage notes

• (although): The use of however as a conjunction meaning "although" is identical to its use as a clause-initial adverb meaning "nevertheless," except in punctuation (when written) and in prosody (when spoken). Hence, the following proscribed sentence:

  (proscribed) He told me not to do it, however I did it.

  is equivalent to the following accepted one:

  (accepted) He told me not to do it; however, I did it.

  In particular, when used as a conjunction in this sense, however always appears between the clauses it connects; it does not introduce a true subordinate clause that can be moved to the start of an independent clause, because a conjunctive adverb cannot do that.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• whoever

[edit] References

• however in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “however” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
• "however" in Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2007 Microsoft Corporation.
• "however (degree)" in Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press 2007.
• "however (despite)" in Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press 2007.
• "however (way)" in Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press 2007.
• "however" in Compact Oxford English Dictionary, © Oxford University Press, 2007.
• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.
• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.