however

1 of 2

conjunction

how·​ev·​er hau̇-ˈe-vər 

1

: in whatever manner or way that

will help however I can

2

archaic : although

however

2 of 2

adverb

1

a

: in whatever manner or way

shall serve you, sir, truly, however else

—William Shakespeare

b

: to whatever degree or extent

couldn't convince him, however hard she tried

has done this for however many thousands of years

—Emma Hawkridge

2

: in spite of that : on the other hand

still seems possible, however, that conditions will improve

would like to go; however, I think I'd better not

3

: how in the world

however did you manage to do it

Did you know?

Beginning a Sentence With However

However is one in a long list of words that students have been admonished to avoid placing at the beginning of a sentence (others include and, but, for, so, yet, and many more). Can you use however to start a sentence? Yes. Some usage guides will recommend against placing it there when the intended meaning is “nonetheless” but will allow it for other senses of however, but a considerable number of prominent (and not so prominent) writers utilize just this sense of however in the initial position. You should make your own judgment about such use and let your ear guide you regarding its appropriateness.

Synonyms

Adverb

• even so
• howbeit
• nevertheless
• nonetheless
• notwithstanding
• still
• still and all
• though
• withal
• yet

Examples of however in a Sentence

Conjunction

Do it however you like.

I will help however I can.

Adverb

I'm all out of eggs; however, I can still make us a nice breakfast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

What can affect fertility, however, is cancer that develop from an HPV infection from one of the dozen cancerous strains of the virus, according to Eileen Lind, a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner at the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025

It is labeled low risk, however, in all other products — meaning titanium dioxide on its own won’t significantly impact those products’ overall rating. —Noor Lobad, WWD, 11 Feb. 2025

The Department of Justice’s move, however, left open the possibility of the case returning. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025

Since then, however, the two tech CEOs have fallen out over differing views on how AI should be developed. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

however

1 of 2 conjunction

how·​ev·​er hau̇-ˈev-ər 

: in whatever way or manner

do it however you like

however

2 of 2 adverb

1

a

: in whatever manner or way

I'll get there however I can

b

: to whatever degree or extent

no prank, however innocent, was done

2

: in spite of that : on the other hand : but

I'd like to go; however, I'd better not