Meaning of HOWEVER
| Pronunciation: | | haw'evur
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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- [adv] despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession); "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 the same I still want to go"
- [adv] in whatever way or manner; "Victory, however it was brought about, was sweet"; "however he did it, it was very clever"
- [adv] to whatever degree or extent; "The results, however general, are important"; "they have begun, however reluctantly, to acknowledge the legitimacy of some of the opposition's concerns"
- [adv] by contrast; on the other hand; "the first part was easy; the second, however, took hours"
- [adv] in what way or manner or by what means; "how did you catch the snake?"; "he told us how he did it"; (`however' is used as an intensive of `how' as in"however did you get here so soon?")
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| | Synonyms: | | all the same, even so, how, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, still, withal, yet |
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| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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\How*ev"er\, adv. [Sometimes contracted into howe'er.]
1. In whetever manner, way, or degree.
However yet they me despise and spite. --Spenser.
Howe'er the business goes, you have made fault.
--Shak.
2. At all events; at least; in any case.
Our chief end is to be freed from all, if it may be,
however from the greatest evils. --Tillotson.
\How*ev"er\, conj.
Nevertheless; notwithstanding; yet; still; though; as, I
shall not oppose your design; I can not, however, approve of
it.
In your excuse your love does little say; You might
howe'er have took a better way. --Dryden.
Syn: {However}, {At least}, {Nevertheless}, {Yet}.
Usage: These words, as here compared, have an adversative
sense in reference to something referred to in the
context. However is the most general, and leads to a
final conclusion or decision. Thus we say, the truth,
however, has not yet fully come out; i.e., such is the
speaker's conclusion in view of the whole case. So
also we say, however, you may rely on my assistance to
that amount; i. e., at all events, whatever may
happen, this is my final decision. At least is
adversative in another way. It points out the utmost
concession that can possibly be required, and still
marks the adversative conclusion; as, at least, this
must be done; whatever may be our love of peace, we
must at least maintain the rights of conscience.
Nevertheless denotes that though the concession be
fully made, it has no bearing of the question; as,
nevertheless, we must go forward. Yet signifies that
however extreme the supposition or fact comceded may
be, the consequence which might naturally be expected
does not and will not follow; as, though I should die
with thee, yet will I not deny thee; though he slay
me, yet will I trust in him. Cf. {But}.
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| Thesaurus Terms |
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| | Related Terms: | | after all, again, albeit, all the same, although, anyhow, anyway, anywise, at all, at all events, at any rate, but, by any means, come what may, even, even so, except, for all that, how, howbeit, in any case, in any event, in any way, in what way, irregardless, just the same, nevertheless, no matter how, no matter what, nohow, nonetheless, notwithstanding, on, per contra, rather, regardless, save, still, though, when, yet, yowl |
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