3 meanings
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1 —as in:
However, complications may...
Definition
though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas)(Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that,
- Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- I hope to take the ACT just once. However, I will take it early, so there is time to study and take it again if my scores aren't high enough.
- Most college application deadlines are in January and February. Early admission deadlines, however, are around November, and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.
- However, hot chocolate made with water is more digestible than that made with milk.Laura Esquivel -- Like Water for Chocolate
- 'Perhaps the old gentleman won't notice,' said Bobbie. 'The aged are often weak in the eyes.' There was no sign of weakness, however, in the eyes, or in any other part of the old gentleman, as he stepped from the train and looked up and down the platform.Edith Nesbit -- The Railway Children
- The exemption from rudeness startled him. Reading it again, however, he realized that it didn't compel him to be rude; it simply allowed him the option.Lois Lowry -- The Giver
- It appears a neat job, however, as far as I could judge by candlelight, and does my friend Christopher Jackson credit.Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- You weren't so nice to me last night. ... However — I want to see you.F. Scott Fitzgerald -- The Great Gatsby
- She was usually very slow and calm, and never raised her voice. Today, however, she turned her head and squealed at us.Kiera Cass -- The Selection
- ...the web is not easily broken. However, a web gets torn every day by the insects that kick around in it,E. B. White -- Charlotte's Web
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
however = despite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas)
however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
however = though (used to connect contrasting ideas)
however = in spite of that
however = in spite of that
however = in spite of that
2 —as in:
However much she tried...
Definition
to whatever degree (regardless of how much; or whatever unspecified amount)- However hard he tried, he couldn't do it.
however = no matter how
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- However safe we make it, there will always be risk.
- 'We shall always be friends with you, however nasty you are to us,' sniffed Phyllis, wildly.Edith Nesbit -- The Railway Children
- Then Mr Prodnose's factory came out with a chewing-gum that never lost its flavour however much you chewed it.Roald Dahl -- Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
- But then there are those who wear their destinies like nooses, whose lives run straight as planks, however they try to twist.Madeline Miller -- Circe
- However long he'd worked in the junkyard, he was never too tired to drive across the valley to hear me.Tara Westover -- Educated
- However much life in Gion was a struggle, life after running away would surely be more of a struggle.Arthur Golden -- Memoirs of a Geisha
- I am not one of those that spare their own trouble; and Nanny shall fetch her, however it may put me to inconvenience to have my chief counsellor away for three days.Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- However glorious might be his future as Jay Gatsby, he was at present a penniless young man without a past, and at any moment the invisible cloak of his uniform might slip from his shoulders.F. Scott Fitzgerald -- The Great Gatsby
- Nothing seemed to give Colin a bigger thrill than to say, "All right, Harry?" six or seven times a day and hear, "Hello, Colin," back, however exasperated Harry sounded when he said it.J.K. Rowling -- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
however = no matter how
however = regardless of how
however = regardless of how
however = regardless of how
however long = whatever length of time
however = regardless of how
however = regardless of how much
however = regardless of how
however = regardless of how
3 —as in:
However you do it, get it done!
Definition
in whatever way- However we do it, someone is going to be unhappy.
however = in whatever way
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- However we get there, the main thing is to be absolutely sure we're not late.
- Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper.Arthur Golden -- Memoirs of a Geisha
- However that might be, she was unmanageable.Jane Austen -- Mansfield Park
- However I took them in, I had to try not to force them out on other people, especially Maxon.Kiera Cass -- The Selection
- I turned to pass the tea set to my sister, so she could administer justice however she saw fit, but when I saw her expression I nearly dropped it.Tara Westover -- Educated
- However she had told herself this would go, it was not like this.Madeline Miller -- Circe
- One thought stuck in her mind: However it had happened, it was her fault.Scott Westerfeld -- Uglies
- But, he thought, assume for a moment that "having," however it is defined, might be the crux of the problem.T. H. White -- The Once and Future King
- However it had happened, Jason was elated to see their old friend in action once more.Rick Riordan -- The Blood of Olympus
however = whatever way
however = in whatever way
however = in whatever way
however = in whatever way
however = in whatever way
however = in whatever way
however = in whatever way
however = in whatever way
however = in whatever way
Less commonly:
Much more rarely (and arguably incorrectly), however can be used to intensify the word how, as when one says "However did you find her?" Grammarians would suggest using two words for that usage: "How ever did you find her?"