HOW-DO-YOU-DO

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does how-do-you-do mean? 

• HOW-DO-YOU-DO (noun)
  The noun HOW-DO-YOU-DO has 2 senses:

1. an awkward situation

2. an expression of greeting

  Familiarity information: HOW-DO-YOU-DO used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HOW-DO-YOU-DO (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An awkward situation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

how-d'ye-do; how-do-you-do

Context example:

that's a fine how-d'ye-do

Hypernyms ("how-do-you-do" is a kind of...):

situation (a complex or critical or unusual difficulty)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An expression of greeting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

hello; hi; how-do-you-do; howdy; hullo

Context example:

every morning they exchanged polite hellos

Hypernyms ("how-do-you-do" is a kind of...):

greeting; salutation ((usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting))