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somewhat

/ˌsʌmˈwɑt/
/ˌsʌmˈhwɑt/
/ˈsʌmwɒt/
IPA guide

Other forms: somewhats

The word somewhat means "slightly" or "to a moderate extent." Being somewhat excited to go on a trip means you're kind of looking forward to it, but you're not completely over-the-top thrilled about the prospect.

A movie that you find somewhat interesting may hold your attention, at least for a while, but it doesn't fully amaze you. It probably won't stick with you after you've left the theater. Similarly, if you're somewhat tired, you're neither completely exhausted nor bursting with energy. The word somewhat captures the middle ground, where something is noticeable but not very pronounced and definitely not extreme.

Definitions of somewhat
  1. adverb
    to a small degree or extent
    “his arguments were somewhat self-contradictory”
    synonyms: more or less, slightly
  2. adverb
    to a moderately sufficient extent or degree
Pronunciation
US
/ˌsʌmˈwɑt/
UK
/ˈsʌmwɒt/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘somewhat'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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