how
(hou)adv.1. In what manner or way; by what means: How does this machine work?
2. In what state or condition: How is she today?
3. To what extent, amount, or degree: How bad was it?
4. For what reason or purpose; why: How is it that he left early?
5. With what meaning: How should I take that remark?
6. By what name: How is she called?
7. By what measure; in what units: How do you sell this corn?
8. What. Usually used in requesting that something be said again: How's that again?
9. Used as an intensive: How we laughed!
conj.1. The manner or way in which: forgot how it was done.
2. That: I told them how I had once been bitten by a snake.
3. In whatever way or manner; however: Cook it how you please.
n. A manner or method of doing something: "The how of research is generated by the why of the world" (Frederick Turner).
Idioms: and how Informal Most certainly; you bet: She's a good dancer, and how!
how about1. Used to make a suggestion or to offer something: How about a cup of tea?
2. Used to request an opinion about something considered remarkable or impressive: How about that storm last night?
how about that Informal Used rhetorically to express surprise or wonder at or approval for something.
how come Informal How is it that; why: How come you're so late?
how so How is it so: You say the answer is wrong. How so?
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.
how
(haʊ) adv1. in what way? in what manner? by what means?: how did it happen? Also used in indirect questions: tell me how he did it
2. to what extent?: how tall is he?.
3. how good? how well? what…like?: how did she sing?; how was the holiday?.
4. how about? used to suggest something: how about asking her?; how about a cup of tea?.
5. how are you? what is your state of health?
6. how come? informal what is the reason (that)?: how come you told him?.
7. how's that for…? a. is this satisfactory as regards…?: how's that for size?.
b. an exclamation used to draw attention to a quality, deed, etc: how is that for endurance?.
8. what is your opinion?
9. (Cricket) cricket (an appeal to the umpire) is the batsman out?. Also written: howzat
10. how now? how so? archaic what is the meaning of this?
11. not standard Also: as how that: he told me as how the shop was closed.
12. in whatever way: do it how you wish.
13. used in exclamations to emphasize extent: how happy I was!.
14. and how! (intensifier) very much so!
15. here's how! (as a toast) good health!
nthe way a thing is done: the how of it.
[Old English hu; related to Old Frisian hū, Old High German hweo]
how
(haʊ) sentence substitutea greeting supposed to be or have been used by American Indians and often used humorously
[C19: of Siouan origin; related to Dakota háo]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
how
(haʊ)
adv. 1. in what way or manner; by what means?: How did the fire start?
2. to what extent, degree, etc.?: How difficult was the test?
3. in what state or condition?: How is the baby?
4. for what reason; why?: How can you talk such nonsense?
5. to what effect; with what meaning?: How is one to interpret such actions?
6. at what amount or rate or in what measure or quantity?: How much is this? How are these tomatoes sold?
7. what?: How do you mean?
8. (used as an intensifier): How seldom I go there!
9. by what title or name?: How does one address the president?
10. in what form or shape?: How does the demon appear in the first act?
conj. 11. the manner or way in which: I couldn't figure out how to solve the problem.
12. about the manner or condition in which: Be careful how you act.
13. in whatever manner or way; however: You can dress how you please.
14. Informal. that: She told us how he was honest and could be trusted.
n. 15. a question concerning the way or manner in which something is done, achieved, etc.: a child's unending whys and hows.
16. a way or manner of doing something: to consider all the hows and wherefores.
Idioms: 1. and how! Informal. certainly; you bet: Am I happy? And how!
2. here's how, (used as a toast.)
3. how about, what do you think or feel regarding? what is your response to?: If they don't have pumpkin pie, how about apple?
4. how come? Informal. how is it that? why?: How come you never visit us anymore?
5. how so? how does it happen to be so? why?: You left early? How so?
[before 900; Middle English how, hu, Old English hū, c. Old Frisian hū, ho, Old Saxon (h)wō; akin to Old High German hweo, Gothic hwaiwa]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
how
1. ways of doing thingsYou use how in questions and explanations when you are talking about the way something is done.
How do you spell his name?
Tell me how to get there.
This is how I make a vegetable curry.
Be Careful!
Don't use 'how' to mean 'in the way that'. For example, don't say 'He walks to work every day, how his father did'. Instead you use like, as, or the way.
2. asking about someone's healthYou use how with be to ask about someone's health.
How are you?
How is she? All right?
Be Careful!
Don't use 'how' to ask what kind of person someone is. For example, if you are asking someone for a description of their boss, don't say 'How is your boss?' Say 'What is your boss like?'
What's his mother like?
3. asking about impressionsYou use how with be to ask whether someone likes or enjoys something or not.
How was your trip?
How was the smoked trout?
Be Careful!
Don't use 'how' to ask for a description of a thing or place. For example, if you say 'How is Birmingham?', you are not asking someone what kind of place Birmingham is; you are asking them if they are enjoying living or working there. If you want them to give you a description of Birmingham, you say 'What is Birmingham like?'
What is Fiji like?
Be Careful!
Don't say 'How do you think of Birmingham?' Say 'What do you think of Birmingham?'
What do you think of his writing style?
What did you think of Tokyo?
4. commenting on a qualityPeople often use how with an adjective when they are commenting on what someone has just said.
'She has a house there as well.' – 'How nice!'
'To my surprise, I found her waiting for me at the station.' – 'How kind!'
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012