however

1 of 2

conjunction

how·ev·er hau̇-ˈe-vər

Synonyms of however next

: in whatever manner or way that

will help however I can

archaic : although

however

2 of 2

adverb

: in whatever manner or way

shall serve you, sir, truly, however else—

William Shakespeare

: to whatever degree or extent

couldn't convince him, however hard she tried

has done this for however many thousands of years—

Emma Hawkridge

: in spite of that : on the other hand

still seems possible, however, that conditions will improve

would like to go; however, I think I'd better not

: how in the world

however did you manage to do it

Did you know?

Beginning a Sentence With However

However is one in a long list of words that students have been admonished to avoid placing at the beginning of a sentence (others include and, but, for, so, yet, and many more). Can you use however to start a sentence? Yes. Some usage guides will recommend against placing it there when the intended meaning is “nonetheless” but will allow it for other senses of however, but a considerable number of prominent (and not so prominent) writers utilize just this sense of however in the initial position. You should make your own judgment about such use and let your ear guide you regarding its appropriateness.

Examples of however in a Sentence

Conjunction Do it however you like. I will help however I can. Adverb I'm all out of eggs; however, I can still make us a nice breakfast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Adverb

More studies need to be done, however, to suggest that cold water can cure depression. —

Audrey Noble, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2024 Warner said, however, that the effort was not directly election-related, as the hackers got into some telecom systems more than a year ago. —

Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024 Beyoncé's upcoming halftime show at the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens game on Christmas, which will also air live on the service, however, will be glitch-free — according to her mom, Tina Knowles. —

Jack Irvin, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024 Capitol, however, was morally opposed to leaving any spare change rattling in the kids’ pockets—and the kids agreed. —

Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for however

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of however was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“However.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/however. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

however

1 of 2 conjunction

how·ev·er hau̇-ˈev-ər

: in whatever way or manner

do it however you like

however

2 of 2 adverb

: in whatever manner or way

I'll get there however I can

: to whatever degree or extent

no prank, however innocent, was done

: in spite of that : on the other hand : but

I'd like to go; however, I'd better not

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however

conjunction

adverb

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Synonyms

Examples of however in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near however

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition