English Explanatory Dictionary

how are you

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. An informal greeting, not requiring a literal response. In form a question, and thus followed by a question mark. Typical responses include
  2. (Following a noun phrase; stress on are) An expression of derision, that the preceding referent is unworthy of the name. In form of an exclamation, and thus often followed by an exclamation mark.

Pronunciation

/haʊ ˈɑː juː/ /haʊ ˈɑɹ ju/ en-us-how_are_you.ogg /hæɔ ˈaː jʉː/ /hæɔ ˈaː jə/ en-au-how_are_you.ogg

Word forms

how are you how're you HRU

Synonyms

how do you do? how are you doing? how's it going? how's things? how's tricks? what's up? how's it hanging? alright me babber alright me lover ay up me duck hiya doin' how are things how are you how are you diddling how are you doing how are you getting along how are you going how bist how do you do how farest thou how goes it how goes the battle how goes the war how're you how's every little thing how's everything how's it going how's it hanging how's life how's things how's tricks what cheer what gives what's cooking what's doing what's good what's going on what's happening what's in the bag what's new what's up you alright my foot! my eye! my arse! my ass! indeed!

Related words

alright howdy hello goodbye
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