somehow
gb/sˈʌmhˌaʊ/ us/sˈʌmhˌaʊ/
B1
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
in an unclear or unspecified way
In a way that is not clear or known.
Usage pattern:
to [do something] somehow
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'somehow' with 'somewhere' or 'sometime', which refer to place and time rather than manner.
Synonyms
in some way (More explicit and often slightly more formal alternative.)
|
by some means (Often used in formal or written contexts with a similar sense.)
Antonyms
clearly (Indicates that the manner is obvious or well understood, opposite of unknown.)
Collocations
manage somehow
|find out somehow
|work somehow
|get through somehow
|explain somehow
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She somehow managed to finish the project on time.
- I don't know how he found my address, but he did somehow.
- The cat had somehow gotten inside the cupboard.
- He somehow convinced them to give him another chance.
- The door was locked, yet she was inside somehow.
Learner examples
- I somehow lost my phone.
- He somehow found my house.
- She somehow passed the test.
- We somehow got to the station on time.
adverb
B1
property
2
for some unknown reason
For a reason that is not clear or known.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'in an unknown way' when the intended sense is about an unknown reason.
Synonyms
for some reason (Direct equivalent; slightly more conversational.)
Antonyms
for a clear reason (States that the cause is obvious and understood.)
Collocations
somehow feel
|somehow know
|somehow believe
|somehow remember
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Somehow, I knew you would say that.
- The story somehow made me feel sad.
- She had somehow forgotten her own birthday.
- He somehow knew exactly what I was thinking.
Learner examples
- Somehow, I was late again.
- I somehow felt happy.
- She somehow knew my name.
Grammar
Dictionary form
somehow
IPA
GB/sˈʌmhˌaʊ/
US/sˈʌmhˌaʊ/
Syllables & stress
some - how (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (some)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: somehow
- Plural: somehows
Word family
Expressions
somehow or other
1/sˈʌmhˌaʊ ˈɔɹ ˈʌðɚ/
fixed phrase
in some way not specified
In some way that is not clear or known.
Examples
- Don't worry, we'll get there on time somehow or other.
- Somehow or other, she always finds a solution.