somewhat
SUHM-wot
Somewhat (adverb) means to a limited or moderate degree; not completely. Example: “The results were somewhat disappointing.”
adverb
1
To a limited or moderate degree; not completely.
"The searing heat cooled somewhat as the sun set in the evening."
"The crowd was somewhat larger than expected, perhaps due to the good weather."
"The decision to shave or not is a somewhat personal one."
"The results were somewhat disappointing."
"She felt somewhat better after a good night's sleep."
"I was somewhat nervous before the interview, but it went well in the end."
How to use somewhat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA little, or to some extent — softening a description rather than saying it fully applies.
Common pairings
somewhat surprised
somewhat better
somewhat difficult
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like somewhat.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- somewhats
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The results were _____ disappointing.
Etymology
Formed from some + what.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “somewhat” mean?
The word “somewhat” means to a limited or moderate degree; not completely. In plain terms, a little, or to some extent — softening a description rather than saying it fully applies.
How do you pronounce “somewhat”?
“Somewhat” is pronounced SUHM-wot (/ˈsʌmwʌt/ in IPA).
How do you use “somewhat” in a sentence?
Here is “somewhat” used in a sentence: “The results were somewhat disappointing.”
What part of speech is “somewhat”?
“Somewhat” is an adverb.
Is “somewhat” a common word?
“Somewhat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between somewhat and slightly?
Both soften a statement, but they differ in degree. Slightly means to a very small extent, barely noticeable. Somewhat means to a moderate but still limited degree — more than slightly, less than very. Something somewhat cold is cooler than something slightly cold, though neither is extreme.
Is somewhat formal or informal?
Somewhat is fairly neutral and leans slightly formal, so it fits comfortably in writing, reports, and polite speech. In casual conversation, people often reach for kind of, a bit, or a little instead. Using somewhat can make a sentence sound measured and considered rather than offhand.
What is an example of somewhat?
You might say the results were somewhat disappointing, meaning disappointing to a moderate degree but not entirely. Other examples include I was somewhat surprised, or the room felt somewhat cramped. In each case, somewhat tones the statement down, showing the quality is present but not to a full extent.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include somewhat:
