however
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however
by whatever means; to whatever degree; nevertheless: It had started to rain; however, the ball game continued.
Not to be confused with:
how ever – when “ever” is used for emphasis: How ever did you do that?
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
how·ev·er
(hou-ĕv′ər)adv.
1. In spite of that; nevertheless; yet: The book is expensive; however, it's worth it.
2. On the other hand; by contrast: The first part was easy; the second, however, took hours.
3. To whatever degree or extent: "The prospect of success, however remote, was tantalizing" (Stephen Baker).
4. In what way. Used as an intensive of how: However did you get here so soon?
conj.
1. In whatever manner or way that: Dress however you like.
2. Archaic Notwithstanding that; although: "Howe'er thou art a fiend, / a woman's shape doth shield thee" (Shakespeare).
Usage Note: It is sometimes claimed that one should not use however to begin a sentence, but few writers consistently follow this rule. In our 2015 survey, only 10 percent of the Usage Panel reported that they themselves always follow the rule, 30 percent said that they usually or sometimes follow it, and 60 percent said that they rarely or never do so. And consistent with their self-reports, two thirds of the Panel judged a sentence beginning with however to be completely acceptable, and another quarter of them judged it at least somewhat acceptable—in other words, fewer than ten percent of them objected to it. · When however is used to join clauses within a sentence, it acts as a conjunctive adverb like nevertheless, not as a coordinating conjunction like but or yet. The conventions of punctuation thus require that it be preceded by a semicolon, as in Main Street will be closed to traffic for the parade; however, the stores along it will remain open. Using a comma instead of a semicolon is likely to be perceived as a mistake. In our 2015 survey, 86 percent of the Usage Panel gave an unacceptable rating to the sentence Main Street will be closed to traffic for the parade, however, the stores along it will remain open. See Usage Notes at but, whatever.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
however
(haʊˈɛvə)sentence connector
1. still; nevertheless
2. on the other hand; yet
adv
3. by whatever means; in whatever manner
4. (used with adjectives expressing or admitting of quantity or degree) no matter how: however long it takes, finish it.
5. an emphatic form of how11
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
how•ev•er
(haʊˈɛv ər)adv.
1. nevertheless; yet; on the other hand; in spite of that: We have not yet won; however, we shall keep trying.
2. to whatever extent or degree; no matter how: However much you spend, I will reimburse you.
3. how?; how under the circumstances?: However did you escape?
conj. 4. in whatever way, manner, or state: Arrange your hours however you like.
[1350–1400]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
however
You use however when you are adding a comment that contrasts with what has just been said.
Some of the food crops failed. However, the cotton did quite well.
Losing at games doesn't matter to some women. Most men, however, can't stand it.
You also use however to say that it makes no difference how something is done.
You can do it however you want.
However we add that up, it does not make a dozen.
However we prepare for retirement there are undeniably risks.
Be Careful!
Don't use 'however' as a conjunction. For example, don't say 'John always cooks dinner, however I usually wash up afterwards'. You can start a new sentence or clause, for example 'John always cooks dinner. However, I usually wash up afterwards'. Or you can use a conjunction such as but or although, for example 'John always cooks dinner, although I usually wash up afterwards.'
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Adv. | 1. | however - despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession); "although I'm a little afraid, however I'd like to try it"; "while we disliked each other, nevertheless we agreed"; "he was a stern yet fair master"; "granted that it is dangerous, all the same I still want to go" |
2. | however - by contrast; on the other hand; "the first part was easy; the second, however, took hours" | |
3. | however - to whatever degree or extent; "The results, however general, are important"; "they have begun, however reluctantly, to acknowledge the legitimacy of some of the opposition's concerns" | |
4. | however - in whatever way or manner; "Victory, however it was brought about, was sweet"; "however he did it, it was very clever" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
however
adverb
1. but, nevertheless, still, though, yet, even though, on the other hand, nonetheless, notwithstanding, anyhow, be that as it may Some of the food crops failed. However, the cotton did quite well.
2. no matter how, regardless of how, in whatever way However hard she tried, nothing seemed to work.
3. how on earth, how However did you find this place in such weather?
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
however
adverbIn spite of a preceding event or consideration:
Informal: still and all.
Idiom: be that as it may.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
however
[haʊˈevəʳ]A. ADV
1. (= nevertheless) → sin embargo, no obstante
most men, however, prefer black → la mayoría de los hombres, sin embargo or no obstante, prefieren el negro
most men, however, prefer black → la mayoría de los hombres, sin embargo or no obstante, prefieren el negro
2. (= no matter how)
however cold it is, we still manage to have fun → por mucho frío que haga, nos las arreglamos para pasarlo bien
he'll never catch us however fast he runs → por muy rápido que vaya or por mucho que corra no nos alcanzará
however hard she tried, she couldn't remember his name → por mucho or más que lo intentaba, no lograba acordarse de su nombre
wait 10 to 15 minutes, or however long it takes → espera 10 ó 15 minutos, o los que sean necesarios
the 5,000 spectators, or however many were there → los 5.000 espectadores, o los que fuesen
take about a metre of fabric, or however much you need → toma un metro de tela o lo que necesites
however cold it is, we still manage to have fun → por mucho frío que haga, nos las arreglamos para pasarlo bien
he'll never catch us however fast he runs → por muy rápido que vaya or por mucho que corra no nos alcanzará
however hard she tried, she couldn't remember his name → por mucho or más que lo intentaba, no lograba acordarse de su nombre
wait 10 to 15 minutes, or however long it takes → espera 10 ó 15 minutos, o los que sean necesarios
the 5,000 spectators, or however many were there → los 5.000 espectadores, o los que fuesen
take about a metre of fabric, or however much you need → toma un metro de tela o lo que necesites
3. (in questions) (= how) → cómo
however did you manage to do that? → ¿cómo te las arreglaste para hacer eso?
however did you manage to do that? → ¿cómo te las arreglaste para hacer eso?
B. CONJ however it's done, it has to look right → se haga como se haga, tiene que quedar bien
however we add it up, it doesn't come to 83 → lo sumemos como lo sumemos, no da 83, hagamos la suma como la hagamos, no da 83
however you want or like → como quieras
you can do it however you want → puedes hacerlo como quieras
however we add it up, it doesn't come to 83 → lo sumemos como lo sumemos, no da 83, hagamos la suma como la hagamos, no da 83
however you want or like → como quieras
you can do it however you want → puedes hacerlo como quieras
HOWEVER
Unlike however, sin embargo and no obstante can never end a sentence; they must always go at the beginning of it or between the clauses: He has one problem, however Sin embargo, tiene un problema He does not expect to come out of the meeting with anything concrete, however No obstante, no espera salir de la reunión con nada concretoCollins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
how
(hau) adverb, conjunction1. in what way. How do you make bread?cómo
3. by what means. I've no idea how he came here.cómo
5. for what reason. How is it that I am the last to know about this?cómo
howˈever adverb1. in spite of that. It would be nice if we had more money. However, I suppose we'll manage with what we have.sin embargo, no obstante
2. (also how ever) in what way; by what means. However did you get here?; However did you do that?cómo
3. to no matter what extent. However hard I try, I still can't do it.por más que
conjunction in no matter what way. This painting still looks wrong however you look at it.de todas formas, lo como lo
how about1. I would like to suggest. `Where shall we go tonight?' `How about the cinema?' qué tal, qué te parece
2. what is he, are you etc going to do?; what does he, do you etc think?. We're going to the cinema tonight. How about you?; I rather like that picture. How about you? ¿y tú/él/vosotros/ellos?
how come for what reason. How come I didn't get any cake? ¿por qué?, ¿por qué razón?, ¿cómo es que...?
how do you do? words that are said by a person to someone he is being introduced to. `How do you do? My name is Smith,' he said, shaking her hand. mucho gusto, encantado
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
however
→ sin embargoMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
however
adv. sin embargo, no obstante.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012