how-do-you-do

Noun how-do-you-do has 2 senses

• how-do-you-do(n = noun.state) how-d'ye-do - an awkward situation; "that's a fine how-d'ye-do"
is a kind of situation

• how-do-you-do(n = noun.communication) hello, hi, howdy, hullo - an expression of greeting; "every morning they exchanged polite hellos"
is a kind of greeting, salutation