way

Syllabification: (way)

Pronunciation: /wā/

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Definition of way

noun

1a method, style, or manner of doing something:worry was their way of showing how much they cared there are two ways of approaching this problem
a person’s characteristic or habitual manner of behavior or expression:it was not his way to wait passively for things to happen
(ways) the customary modes of behavior or practices of a group:foreigners who adopt French ways
[in singular] the typical manner in which something happens or in which someone or something behaves:he was showing off, as is the way with adolescent boys

2a road, track, path, or street for traveling along: [in place names]:No. 3, Church Way
[usually in singular] a course of travel or route taken in order to reach a place:can you tell me the way to Duffy Square?
a means of entry or exit from somewhere, such as a door or gate:we’re going in the back way
[in singular] (also North American informal ways) a distance traveled or to be traveled; the distance from one place to another:they still had a long way ahead of them figurativethe area’s wine industry still has some way to go to full maturity
[in singular] a period between one point in time and another:September was a long way off
[in singular] travel or motion along a particular route; the route along which someone or something would travel if unobstructed:Christine tried to follow but Martin blocked her way
[in singular] a specified direction:we just missed another car coming the other way
(often ways) parts into which something divides or is divided:the national vote split three ways [in combination]:a five-way bidding war
(one's way) used with a verb and adverbial phrase to intensify the force of an action or to denote movement or progress:I shouldered my way to the bar
forward or backward motion of a ship or boat through water:the dinghy lost way and drifted toward the shore

3 [in singular with modifier or possessive] informal a particular area or locality:I’ve got a sick cousin over Fayetteville way

4a particular aspect of something; a respect:I have changed in every way

5 [in singular with adjective] a specified condition or state:the family was in a poor way

6 (ways) a sloping structure down which a new ship is launched.

adverb

informal

at or to a considerable distance or extent; far (used before an adverb or preposition for emphasis):his understanding of what constitutes good writing is way off target my grandchildren are way ahead of others their age
[as submodifier] chiefly North American much:I was cycling way too fast
[usually as submodifier] US extremely; really (used for emphasis):the guys behind the bar were way cool
[shortening of away]

Phrases

across the way: nearby, especially on the opposite side of the street.
all the way: see all.
be on one's way: have started one’s journey.; [in imperative] ((be) on your way) informal go away:on your way, and stop wasting my time!
by a long way: by a great amount; by far.
by the way
by way of
come one's way: happen or become available to one:he did whatever jobs came his way
find a way: discover a means of obtaining one’s object.
get (or have) one's (own) way: get or do what one wants in spite of opposition.
give way
go all the (or go the whole) way: continue a course of action to its conclusion.; informal have sexual intercourse with someone.
go out of one's way: [usually with infinitive] make a special effort to do something:Mrs. Mott went out of her way to be courteous to Sara
go one's own way: act independently or as one wishes, especially against contrary advice.
go one's way
go someone's way: travel in the same direction as someone:wait for Owen, he’s going your way
have it your (own) way: [in imperative] informal used to indicate angrily that although one disagrees with something someone has said or proposed, one is not going to argue further:have it your way-we’ll go to Princetown
have it both ways: see both.
have a way with: have a particular talent for dealing with or ability in:she’s got a way with animals
have one's way with: humorous have sexual intercourse with (someone) (typically implying that it is against their wishes or better judgment).
in more ways than one: used to indicate that a statement has more than one meaning:Shelley let her hair down in more ways than one
in a way (or in some ways or in one way): to a certain extent, but not altogether or completely (used to reduce the effect of a statement):in some ways television is more challenging than theater
in the family way: see family.
in the (or one's) way: forming an obstacle or hindrance to movement or action:his head was in the way of my view
in the way of: another way of saying by way of above.
in someone/something's (own) way: if regarded from a particular standpoint appropriate to that person or thing:it’s a good enough book in its way
in no way: not at all:quasars in no way resemble normal galaxies
keep (or stay) out of someone's way: avoid someone.
know one's way around: see know. be familiar with (an area, procedure, or subject).
lead the way: go first along a route to show someone the way.; be a pioneer in a particular activity.
no two ways about it: see no.
one way and another (or one way or another, one way or the other)
on the (or one's) way: in the course of a journey:I’ll tell you on the way home
on the (or its) way: about to arrive or happen:there’s more snow on the way; informal (of a child) conceived but not yet born.
on the (or one's) way out: in the process of leaving.; informal going out of fashion or favor.
the other way around: in the opposite position or direction.; the opposite of what is expected or supposed:it was you who sought me out, not the other way around
out of one's way: not on one’s intended route.
put someone in the way of: dated give someone the opportunity of.
that way: dated used euphemistically to indicate that someone is homosexual:he was a bit that way
to someone's (or one's) way of thinking: in someone’s (or one’s) opinion.
way back: informal long ago.
the way of the Cross
way of life: the typical pattern of behavior of a person or group:the rural way of life
the way of the world: the manner in which people typically behave or things typically happen (used to express one’s resignation to it):all those millions are not going to create many jobs, but that’s the way of the world
ways and means: the methods and resources at someone’s disposal for achieving something:the company is seeking ways and means of safeguarding jobs
way to go: North American informal used to express pleasure, approval, or excitement.

Origin:

Old English weg, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch weg and German Weg, from a base meaning 'move, carry'

way in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of way in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

noun

adverb

Phrases

across the way

all the way

be on one's way

by a long way

by the way

by way of

come one's way

find a way

get (or have) one's (own) way

give way

go all the (or go the whole) way

go out of one's way

go one's own way

go one's way

go someone's way

have it your (own) way

have it both ways

have a way with

have one's way with

in more ways than one

in a way (or in some ways or in one way)

in the family way

in the (or one's) way

in the way of

in someone/something's (own) way

in no way

keep (or stay) out of someone's way

know one's way around

lead the way

no two ways about it

one way and another (or one way or another, one way or the other)

on the (or one's) way

on the (or its) way

on the (or one's) way out

the other way around

out of one's way

put someone in the way of

that way

to someone's (or one's) way of thinking

way back

the way of the Cross

way of life

the way of the world

ways and means

way to go

Origin:

way in other Oxford dictionaries

Reference to way in Language Resources

Nearby words

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