Somewhat

/ˈsʌmwʌt/

adverbBeginner🔥Very CommonDegree
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

1

To a certain extent or degree.

/ˈsʌmwʌt/

adverbneutralBeginner
Degree

To a certain extent or degree; to some extent.

The weather is somewhat chilly today.

💡 Simply: It's like saying "a little bit." If you're a *little* bit hungry, you're *somewhat* hungry. Or if a test was *a little* bit hard, it was *somewhat* hard.

👶 For kids: It means a little bit. Like if your toy is *somewhat* broken, it's a little bit broken.

More Examples

2

I am somewhat concerned about the results.

3

The cake was somewhat dry, but still tasty.

How It's Used

General

"I'm somewhat tired after the long journey."

Informal

"The movie was somewhat disappointing."

Formal

"The data suggests a somewhat positive correlation."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

somewhat of a

To a certain extent or to a degree, used to describe a person or thing having characteristics of something.

"He is somewhat of a perfectionist."

From Middle English 'somewhat', a compound of 'some' and 'what', indicating a degree or amount.

Used extensively since the Middle English period, with its meaning remaining relatively consistent over time.

Memory tip

Think of "some" and "what" - it gives you a partial answer or description.

Word Origin

LanguageMiddle English
Original meaning

"of some degree or amount"

somewhat difficultsomewhat surprisingsomewhat similarsomewhat differentsomewhat reluctantsomewhat interested

Common misspellings

sumwhatsome what

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written