English Dictionary

HOW-DO-YOU-DO

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does how-do-you-do mean? 

HOW-DO-YOU-DO (noun)
  The noun HOW-DO-YOU-DO has 2 senses:

1. an awkward situationplay

2. an expression of greetingplay

  Familiarity information: HOW-DO-YOU-DO used as a noun is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


HOW-DO-YOU-DO (noun)


Sense 1

Meaning:

An awkward situation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

how-d'ye-do; how-do-you-do

Context example:

that's a fine how-d'ye-do

Hypernyms ("how-do-you-do" is a kind of...):

situation (a complex or critical or unusual difficulty)


Sense 2

Meaning:

An expression of greeting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

hello; hi; how-do-you-do; howdy; hullo

Context example:

every morning they exchanged polite hellos

Hypernyms ("how-do-you-do" is a kind of...):

greeting; salutation ((usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting))


 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"God cures and the physician takes the fee." (English proverb)

"Our first teacher is our own heart." (Native American proverb, Cheyenne)

"Measure your quilt, then stretch your legs." (Arabic proverb)

"The doctor comes to the house where the sun can't reach." (Corsican proverb)



ALSO IN ENGLISH DICTIONARY:


© 2000-2023 AudioEnglish.org | AudioEnglish® is a Registered Trademark | Terms of use and privacy policy
Contact