somewhat

Everyday

1. A little, to some degree, rather — not very much and not completely. tree →
2. (formal) Fairly; used to make a statement softer. tree →

In the lessons

It is a softening word: «somewhat tired» is less than «very tired». It is common in formal writing, reports and exams («the results were somewhat surprising»). In science it describes small changes: «the temperature rose somewhat». In maths word problems it means a small, not exact, amount, so it does not give a number. Phrases: «somewhat better», «somewhat surprised», «somewhat different».

Examples

• I was somewhat tired after the long walk. tree →
• The test was somewhat harder than last week's. tree →
• The weather improved somewhat in the afternoon. tree →
• (formal) The results were somewhat unexpected. tree →
• The two pictures are somewhat different. tree →
• She felt somewhat better after a drink of water. tree →
• The price went up somewhat, but not much. tree →
• His story was somewhat hard to believe. tree →
• Yamato relaxed his hold somewhat and said. tree →

Note

It is one word. It usually comes before an adjective or adverb («somewhat late») or after a verb («improved somewhat»). It means «a bit», not «something». In maths, «somewhat more» tells you only that the amount grew a little; you cannot work out an exact number from it.

In Jewish tradition

It is old English for "something," as in "I have somewhat to say to thee." In the primary lessons: It is a softening word: «somewhat tired» is less than «very tired». It is common in formal writing, reports and exams («the results were somewhat surprising»). In science it describes small changes: «the temperature rose somewhat». In maths word problems it means a small, not exact, amount, so it does not give a number. Phrases: «somewhat better», «somewhat surprised», «somewhat different».

Examples

• He said moreover: 'I have somewhat to say unto thee.' And she said: 'Say on.' (Prophets 1KI.2.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

It is one word. It usually comes before an adjective or adverb («somewhat late») or after a verb («improved somewhat»). It means «a bit», not «something». In maths, «somewhat more» tells you only that the amount grew a little; you cannot work out an exact number from it.