HOWEVER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does however mean? 

• HOWEVER (adverb)
  The adverb HOWEVER has 4 senses:

1. despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

2. by contrast; on the other hand

3. to whatever degree or extent

4. in whatever way or manner

  Familiarity information: HOWEVER used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HOWEVER (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

Synonyms:

all the same; at the same time; even so; however; nevertheless; nonetheless; notwithstanding; still; withal; yet

Context example:

granted that it is dangerous, all the same I still want to go

Sense 2

Meaning:

By contrast; on the other hand

Context example:

the first part was easy; the second, however, took hours

Sense 3

Meaning:

To whatever degree or extent

Context example:

they have begun, however reluctantly, to acknowledge the legitimacy of some of the opposition's concerns

Sense 4

Meaning:

In whatever way or manner

Context example:

however he did it, it was very clever

 Context examples 

In the summers there is one visitor, however, to that valley, of which the Yeehats do not know.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

They are, however, I am told, very harmless and rather wanting in natural self-assertion.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

These processes were not affected in mice lacking the DREAM gene however.

(Pain Repression Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

A pancreatic lesion microscopically resembling pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia-1A, however the neoplastic nature of the pathologic process has not been unambiguously established.

(Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia/Lesion-1A, NCI Thesaurus)

However, children with metastatic disease at presentation or adult patients usually have a poor prognosis.

(Pancreatoblastoma, NCI Thesaurus)

My circumstances being so very pressing, however, I said I would take ninepence for it, if he pleased.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

In the morning, however, as soon as it was light, I went upon deck and found all the sailors busy on one side of the vessel, apparently talking to someone in the sea.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Cytoplasmic melanin is not present; however immunohistochemical studies have confirmed the melanocytic lineage of the tumor cells.

(Paraganglioma-Like Dermal Melanocytic Tumor, NCI Thesaurus)

We were working over him, however, when he signed for paper and pencil.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Early next morning, however, Keesh strode into the village.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)