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how-to

[ hou-too ]

adjective

  1. giving or pertaining to basic instructions and directions to the layperson on the methods for doing or making something, especially as a hobby or for practical use:

    a how-to book on photography.



noun

, plural how-tos.
  1. a set of step-by-step instructions for accomplishing a certain task or reaching a certain objective:

    a how-to for fixing a leaky faucet.

  2. the basic principles or approach for doing something:

    the how-to of investing in the stock market.

how-to

adjective

  1. (of a book or guide) giving basic instructions to the lay person on how to do or make something, esp as a hobby or for practical purposes

    a how-to book on carpentry

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • how-toer noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of how-to1

First recorded in 1925–30
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Example Sentences

In March, popular beauty site Into the Gloss even published a how-to on getting blue-tinted hair.

The “Operation Trojan Horse” letter was a how-to guide for Islamic fundamentalists wanting to take over local schools.

An email allegedly written by David Newman, an employee of the Cheyenne VA, reads like a how-to manual for cooking the books.

Is a frightening how-to book that aims to help its middle-to-high school audience “[navigate] first crushes, kisses, and love.”

Jack only released the how-to of the hack to the ATM makers, and only after the fixes had already been made.

Meantime I'll take your advice about my speech, Mac, and blue-pencil the how-to-be-good stuff.

Special subjects require special consideration and study, especially when the how-to-do-it is involved.

Because all persons want to know how to be more successful, they read these "how-to-do-something" articles with avidity.

In preparing a "how-to-do-something" article, a writer needs to consider the class of readers for which it is intended.

Lobs were being tried, and Stone, nearly weeping with pure joy, was playing an innings of the How-to-brighten-cricket type.

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