“However” is usually an adverb (specifically a conjunctive adverb), and it can also function as a conjunction in modern usage.

Main word type

Most often, “however” is used as a conjunctive adverb meaning “but,” “nevertheless,” or “in spite of that.”

  • Example: “I wanted to go out; however, it was raining.”
  • Here it links two clauses and shows contrast, which is why many style guides treat it as a linking adverb.

As a conjunction

In some descriptions, “however” is also classified as a conjunction when it directly joins two clauses in the sense of “although” or “but.”

  • Example: “I like pizza, however I don’t like steak.”
  • In traditional grammar, this use is sometimes discouraged in favor of “but,” but it is common in real-world English.

Other less common uses

“However” can appear in other roles in specific patterns, though these are less central to the usual question about its type.

  • Degree meaning: “however hard you try” (= no matter how hard).
  • Manner meaning: “however you do it” (= in whatever way).

In everyday grammar terms, if you must pick one label, calling “however” a conjunctive adverb of contrast is accurate for most typical sentences.