Definition

Adverb 1. In no manner; in no way; not at all: Used to emphasize that something is impossible or cannot be done. 2. (Informal, chiefly dialect or archaic) In a poor or unwell condition; out of sorts: Used to describe feeling unwell or uncomfortable.

Usage and Examples

• Adverb (In no way):
  • The instructions were so confusing that we could nohow understand them.
  • He said the door was nohow to be opened before noon.
• Adverb (Feeling unwell - informal):
  • After the long journey, she felt nohow and went straight to bed.

Advanced Usage Notes

• The primary meaning ("in no way") is now considered archaic, dialectal, or nonstandard in modern English. In contemporary formal writing and speech, "not ... anyhow," "in no way," "not at all," or "by no means" are preferred.
• The informal sense meaning "unwell" is rare and highly colloquial.

Variants and Related Words

• Anyhow (adv): In any case; anyway; in a careless or haphazard manner. (This is the more common, standard word from which "nohow" is derived by negation).
• Noway (adv, archaic): In no way; not at all. (A synonym for the primary meaning of "nohow").

Synonyms

• In no way
• Not at all
• By no means
• Under no circumstances (for prohibitions)

Antonyms

• Somehow
• Anyhow
• Certainly
• Easily

Related Phrases

• Can't ... nohow: A double-negative construction common in some dialects (e.g., "I can't fix it nohow"). In standard English, this would be "I can't fix it at all" or "I can in no way fix it."

Adverb

1. in no manner; in no way
   • We could nohow make out his handwriting