Somehow

Definition

Somehow is often used to express uncertainty or an unspecified manner or way in which an action occurs or a condition is fulfilled.

Parts of Speech

• Adverb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsʌmhaʊ/
• Respelling: SUM-how (with "SUM" as in "sum" and "how" as in "how")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsʌmhaʊ/
• Respelling: SUM-how (similar to American English, with "SUM" as in "sum" and "how" like in "how")

In both dialects, "somehow" is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable, "SUM." The pronunciation of "somehow" is consistent between American and British English, clearly reflecting the word's straightforward phonetic structure. Regarding the schwa sound you asked about earlier, "somehow" doesn't typically feature a pronounced schwa sound, as the vowel sound in "sum" is not reduced to a schwa in this context.

Etymology

The term "somehow" is formed by compounding the word "some" from Old English sum, and "how" from Old English hū.

Derivatives

• Somehowness

Synonyms

• In some way
• By some means
• In a way

Antonyms

• Certainly
• Definitively
• Specifically

Usage

"Somehow" is a commonly used adverb in English language to indicate a lack of certainty or exact knowledge about how something has happened or will happen.

Related Terms

• Someway
• Somewhat
• Anyway
• Somehow or other

Detailed Definition

Adverb

• Uncertain Manner: Used to express that something will happen or is true, although you do not know how.
• Example: She somehow managed to pass the exam despite not studying.

• Unspecified Way: Indicates that the manner or way something happens is not known or not specified.
• Example: He seemed, somehow, to be a bit sad.

• Surprisingly: Indicates a sense of surprise in the occurrence of an event or action.
• Example: Somehow, against all odds, they managed to complete the project on time.