how

/hɑʊ/ adv

Definition

A1 used to ask about quantity, size, or age: How big is the house? How old are they? How much (= what price) was that dress?

how are you? A1 used to ask someone if he or she is well and happy: “How are you, Ellie?” “Oh, not so bad, thanks.”

A2 used to ask about the way something happens or is done: How did he die? How do you keep the house so clean?

how about..? A2 used to make a suggestion: How about going to the cinema?

how do you do? A2 a polite thing to say to someone you are meeting for the first time

B1 used to ask about what an experience or event was like: How was your flight?

B1 used for emphasis: How nice to see you! I was amazed at how quickly she finished.

(Definition of how adv from the Webster's Essential Mini Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

false, not real or not legal

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.