somehow

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsʌm.haʊ/^[1]

Etymology

It is a compound, from English some + how.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

In the phrase somehow or other: 1664 in the OED and MWU, the 1660s in Etymonline, where it is first attested.^[3][4][2]

Semantic evolution

Used alone, in some way not known or not stated, it is from 1740–1742.^[3] Before it, English used someway and someways, from Middle English someswaies (about 1200).^[2] In Lancashire and Leicestershire dialect, to feel somehow meant to feel unwell in an indefinite way.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 1200 – the earlier someways.^[2]
• 1664 – somehow or other.^[3][4]
• 1740–42 – somehow alone.^[3]

Modern meaning

Adverb

1. In some way that is not known or not stated.
2. For some reason that is not clear: somehow I don't trust him.

Related words

• some
• how
• somewhat
• anyhow

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)