Meaning of however in English

Table of contents

Adverb
however
Definitions
1. despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession)
Examples
- « although I'm a little afraid, however I'd like to try it »
- « while we disliked each other, nevertheless we agreed »
- « he was a stern yet fair master »
- « granted that it is dangerous, all t »
2. by contrast
Examples
- « on the other hand »
- « the first part was easy »
- « the second, however, took hours »
3. to whatever degree or extent
Examples
- « The results, however general, are important »
- « they have begun, however reluctantly, to acknowledge the legitimacy of some of the opposition's concerns »
4. in whatever way or manner
Examples
- « Victory, however it was brought about, was sweet »
- « however he did it, it was very clever »
5. in what way or manner or by what means (`however' is sometimes used as an intensive form of `how')
Examples
- « how did you catch the snake? »
- « he told us how he did it »
- « however did you get here so soon? »

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