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however */*/*/
UK [haʊˈevə(r)] / US [haʊˈevər] adverb, conjunction
Summary:

However can be used in the following ways: - as a way of showing how a sentence is related to what has already been said: Prices have been rising. It is unlikely, however, that this increase will continue. - as an adverb (before an adjective or adverb): However hard he tried, he could not control his feelings. (before "much" or "many"): However much they earn, they will never be satisfied. (starting a question): However did you manage to make him change his mind? - as a conjunction (joining two clauses): You can arrange the furniture however you want. ♦ However you look at it, it's an enormous problem.
1) used for giving surprising information used when you are saying something that seems surprising after your previous statement, or that makes your previous statement seem less true

The president was confident of success. His advisers were not so sure, however.

Diamond mining is a highly profitable industry. There are, however, certain risks involved.

2) used for changing the subject used when you are changing the subject

I'm delighted I could be here today. However, I didn't come here to talk about myself.

3) when the amount or degree does not make a difference used for saying that it makes no difference how good, bad, difficult etc something is or how much there is of something
however good/well/bad/badly/hard etc:

She would still love him however badly he behaved.

If you take money from the fund, however small the amount, you must record it in this book.

however much/many:

We're determined to have a wonderful holiday, however much it costs.

However many times you explain things, you can never get him to understand.

however long something takes:

We are determined to solve this problem, however long it takes.

4) spoken used for emphasizing "how" used instead of "how" in questions for emphasizing that you think something is surprising

"The original documents got lost." "However did that happen?"

5) in whatever way in whatever way someone chooses

We let the kids decorate their rooms however they want to.

However you look at it, this is very worrying news.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • however — [hou eer′hou ev′ər] adv. [ME hou ever] 1. no matter how; in whatever manner 2. to whatever degree or extent 3. by what means [however did he escape?]: intensive form of HOW1 4. nevertheless; yet; in spite of that; all the same: often used as a… …   English World dictionary

  • however — index notwithstanding, regardless, unless Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • however — late 14c., from HOW (Cf. how) + EVER (Cf. ever) …   Etymology dictionary

  • however — [adv] still, nevertheless after all, all the same, anyhow, be that as it may, but, despite, for all that, howbeit, in spite of, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on the other hand, per contra, though, withal, without regard to, yet; concept 544 …   New thesaurus

  • however — ► ADVERB 1) used to introduce a statement contrasting with a previous one. 2) in whatever way. 3) to whatever extent …   English terms dictionary

  • however — how|ev|er [ hau evər ] function word *** However can be used in the following ways: as a way of showing how a sentence is related to what has already been said: Prices have been rising. It is unlikely, however, that this increase will continue.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • however — [[t]haʊe̱və(r)[/t]] ♦ 1) ADV: ADV with cl You use however when you are adding a comment which is surprising or which contrasts with what has just been said. This was not an easy decision. It is, however, a decision that we feel is dictated by our …   English dictionary

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