how¹ / hou/ • adv. [usu. interrog. adv.] 1. in what way or manner; by what means: how does it work?| he did not know how he ought to behave | he showed me how to adjust the focus. 2. used to ask about the condition or quality of something: how was your vacation? | how did they play? ∎  used to ask about someone's physical or mental state: how are the children? | I asked how he was doing.3. used to ask about the extent or degree of something: how old are you? | how long will it take? | I wasn't sure how fast to go. ∎  used to express a strong feeling such as surprise about the extent of something: how kind it was of him | how I wish I had been there!4. the way in which; that: she told us how she had lived out of a suitcase for a week. ∎  in any way in which; however: I'll do business how I like.PHRASES: and how! inf. very much so (used to express strong agreement): “Did you miss me?” “And how!”here's how! dated said when drinking to someone's health.how about1. used to make a suggestion or offer: how about a drink?2. used when asking for information or an opinion on something: how about your company?the how and why the methods and reasons for doing something: tonight's edition demystifies the how and why of television ratings.how come? see come.how do? an informal greeting.how do you do? a formal greeting.how many what number: how many books did you sell?how much what amount or price: just how much did it cost?how now? archaic what is the meaning of this?how so? how can you show that that is so?how's that for ——? isn't that a remarkable instance of ——?: how's that for stereotypical thinking?how² • interj. a greeting attributed to North American Indians (used in humorous imitation).