Library / English Dictionary

SOMEWHAT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

To certain extent or degree

Example:

he is fairly clever with computers

Synonyms:

fairly; jolly; middling; moderately; passably; pretty; reasonably; somewhat

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

To a small degree or extent

Example:

the children argued because one slice of cake was slightly larger than the other

Synonyms:

more or less; slightly; somewhat

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

Glutamine group members were also somewhat less aggressive in pens with mixed litters than those given the antibiotic.

(Antibiotic Alternative Scores Well in Second Round of Swine Trials, U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Lucy was breathing somewhat stertorously, and her face was at its worst, for the open mouth showed the pale gums.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"He does very well, for a boy," was Meg's somewhat ungracious answer, for the subject did not interest her.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

He looked more than usually grave, and though expressing satisfaction at finding Miss Dashwood alone, as if he had somewhat in particular to tell her, sat for some time without saying a word.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

“My Lord de Clisson,” cried Lord Audley, “you look somewhat fixedly in my direction. By God's soul! I should be right glad to go further into the matter with you.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mrs. Warren’s whimsical problem enlarges somewhat and assumes a more sinister aspect as we proceed.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But I confess that I am somewhat accablé, by all that has befallen us.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Very gently and somewhat suspiciously, he first smelled the tallow and then proceeded to eat it.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

With a resigned air and a somewhat weary smile, Holmes begged the beautiful intruder to take a seat, and to inform us what it was that was troubling her.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Madam Derbyshire had somewhat expensive tastes,” remarked Holmes, glancing down the account.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)