somewhat

1 of 2

pronoun

some·​what ˈsəm-ˌ(h)wət 

ˈsəm-ˌ(h)wät,

(ˌ)səm-ˈ(h)wət,

(ˌ)səm-ˈ(h)wät

: something

somewhat

2 of 2

adverb

: in some degree or measure : slightly

Synonyms

Adverb

• enough
• fairly
• kind of
• kindly [chiefly Southern]
• like
• moderately
• more or less
• pretty
• quite
• rather
• relatively
• something
• sort of

Examples of somewhat in a Sentence

Adverb

He felt somewhat awkward in his suit.

Our work has progressed somewhat.

The course is somewhat more difficult than I was told it would be.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The first of those interceptions came from a somewhat unexpected place with the Steelers trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter. —Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024

The Temple’s centennial is dampened somewhat by the condition of its renowned E.M. Skinner organ, also turning 100. —Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 8 Dec. 2024

Now, in a somewhat disorienting narrative reversal, Tarlow has come to Manhattan, just as twenty-five years ago those breathless Manhattanites spilled out of their yellow cabs into the wilds of Williamsburg. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024

This could vary somewhat because the internal machinery such as the chain of thought mechanism is going to pass through the tokens without having to do nearly the same amount of computational work, see my explanation at the link here. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Pronoun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing somewhat

• somewhat of

Kids Definition

somewhat

1 of 2 pronoun

some·​what ˈsəm-ˌ(h)wät 

-ˌ(h)wət;

(ˌ)səm-ˈ(h)wät,

-ˈ(h)wət

: some unspecified part or amount : something

somewhat of what you say is true

somewhat

2 of 2 adverb

: in some measure : slightly

somewhat comfortable