If you refer to a wayof doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action youcan take or the method you can use to achieve it.
Freezing isn't a bad way of preserving food.
Another way of making new friends is to go to an evening class. [+ of]
I worked myself into a frenzy plotting ways to make him jealous.
I can't think of a worse way to spend my time.
There just might be a way.
'All right, Mrs Bates,' she said. 'We'll do it your way'.
2. countable noun [usually singular, usually adjective NOUN]
If you talk about the way someone does something, you are talking about the qualities their action has.
She smiled in a friendly way.
He had a strange way of talking. [+ of]
I also used to love the smooth way in which the foreigner operated.
Synonyms: manner, style, fashion, mode More Synonyms of way
3. countable noun [oft inNOUN]
If a general statement or description is true in a particular way, this is the form of it that is true in a particular case.
Computerized reservation systems help airline profits in several ways.
She was afraid in a way that was quite new to her.
4. countable noun
You use way in expressions such as in some ways, in many ways, and in every way to indicate the degree or extent to which a statement is true.
In some ways, the official opening is a formality.
She described her lover as 'perfect in every way'.
5. plural noun
The ways of a particular person or group of people are their customs or their usual behaviour.
He denounces people who urge him to alter his ways.
I think you've been too long in Cornwall. You've forgotten the ways of the city.
He said he was against returning to old authoritarian ways.
6. singular noun [with poss]
If you refer to someone's way, you are referring to their usual or preferred type of behaviour.
In her usual resourceful way, she has started her own business.
Direct confrontation was not his way.
7. countable noun
You use way to refer to one particular opinion or interpretation of something, when others are possible.
I suppose that's one way of looking at it.
With most of Dylan's lyrics, however, there are other ways of interpreting the words. [+ of]
Sometimes, the bank manager just doesn't see it your way.
8. countable noun
You use way when mentioning one of a number of possible, alternative results or decisions.
There is no indication which way the vote could go.
The judge could have decided either way.
9. singular noun
The way you feel about something is your attitude to it or your opinion about it.
I'm terribly sorry–I had no idea you felt that way.
10. singular noun
If you mention theway that something happens, you are mentioning the fact that it happens.
I hate the way he manipulates people.
You may remember the way each scene ended with someone looking pensive or significant.
11. singular noun
You use way in expressions such as push your way, work your way, or eat your way, followed by a prepositional phrase or adverb, in order to indicate movement, progress, or force as well as the action described by the verb.
She thrust her way into the crowd. [+ into]
He thought we were trying to buy our way into his company. [+ into]
Start at the bottom and try to work your way up.
12. countable noun
Theway somewhere consists of the different places that you go through or the route that you take inorder to get there.
Does anybody know the way to the bathroom? [+ to]
I'm afraid I can't remember the way.
We're not even a third of the way there.
We'll go out the back way.
13. singular noun
If you go or look a particular way, you go or look in that direction.
As he strode into the kitchen, he passed Pop coming the other way.
They paused at the top of the stairs, doubtful as to which way to go next.
Could you look this way?
14. singular noun
You can refer to the direction you are travelling in as your way.
[spoken]
It's not very far out of his way.
She would say she was going my way and offer me a lift.
15. singular noun
If you lose your way, you take a wrong or unfamiliar route, so that you do not know how to get to the place that you want to go to. If you find your way, you manage to get to the place that you want to go to.
The men lost their way in a sandstorm and crossed the border by mistake.
They've changed a lot of the old street names, and people can't find their way anymore.
16. countable noun
You talk about people going their different ways in order to say that their lives develop differently and they have less contact with each other.
When we each went our separate ways I began to learn how to do things for myself.
You go your way and I'll go mine.
17. singular noun
If something comes your way, you get it or receive it.
Take advantage of the opportunities coming your way in a couple of months.
If I run into anything that might interest you, I'll send it your way.
18. singular noun [in/out ofN]
If someone or something is in theway, they prevent you from moving forward or seeing clearly.
'You're standing in the way,' she said. 'Would you mind moving aside'.
Get out of my way!
19. noun, in names [noun NOUN]
Way is used in the names of some roads, and also in the names of some long paths forwalkers in the countryside.
Silvertown Way, was that the road?
...the well-trodden 250-mile Pennine Way.
20. uncountable noun [supplement NOUN]
You can use way to refer to the area near where someone lives or near a specified place.
[informal]
If you speak standard English anywhere round our way, people tend to view you withsuspicion.
...somebody from Newcastle way.
21. singular noun
You use way in expressions such as the right way up and the other way around to refer to one of two or more possible positions or arrangements that somethingcan have.
The flag was held the wrong way up by some spectators.
It's important to fit it the right way round.
22. adverb [ADV adv/prep]
You can use way to emphasize, for example, that something is a great distance away or is very much below or abovea particular level or amount.
[emphasis]
Way down in the valley to the west is the town of Freiburg.
These exam results are way above average.
I have to decide my plan way in advance.
23. plural noun [num NOUN]
If you split something a number of ways, you divide it into a number of different parts or quantities, usually fairly equal in size.
When she retires her job is to be split three ways.
Splitting the price six ways had still cost them each a bundle.
Way is also a combining form.
...a simple three-way division.
24. singular noun
Way is used in expressions such as a long way, a little way, and quite a way, to say how far away something is or how far you have travelled.
Some of them live in places quite a long way from here.
A little way further down the lane we passed the driveway to a house.
We've a fair way to go yet.
Synonyms: distance, length, stretch, journey More Synonyms of way
25. singular noun
Way is used in expressions such as a long way, a little way, and quite a way, to say how far away in time something is.
Success is still a long way off.
August is still an awfully long way away.
26. singular noun
You use way in expressions such as all the way, most of the way and half the way to refer to the extent to which an action has been completed.
He had unscrewed the caps most of the way.
When was the last time you listened to an album all the way through?
Synonyms: will, demand, wish, desire More Synonyms of way
27.
See across the way
28.
See all the way
29.
See all the way
30.
See as is the way
31.
See in a bad way
32.
See in a big way
33.
See you can't have it both ways
34.
See by the way
35.
See by way of
36.
See by way of
37.
See by way of
38.
See change one's ways/mend one's ways
39.
See clear the way/open the way/prepare the way
40.
See the easy way out
41.
See either way
42.
See the way forward
43.
See get one's way/have one's way/get one's own way/have one's own way
44.
See give way to
45.
See to give way
46.
See to give way
47.
See to give way
48.
See have a way of doing sth
49.
See have a way with sth/sb
50.
See have it your way/have it your own way
51.
See in no way
52.
See in a way
53.
See in a small way
54.
See in the way
55.
See get in the way
56.
See know one's way around sth/know one's way about sth
57.
See to laugh all the way to the bank
58.
See to lead the way
59.
See to lead the way
60.
See have come a long way
61.
See by a long way
62.
See a long way from/some way from
63.
See to go a long way
64.
See lose one's way
65.
See make one's way
66.
See make way
67.
See there's no way
68.
See no way
69.
See in the way of
70.
See be on one's way
71.
See go on one's way
72.
See along the way
73.
See on one's way/well on one's way
74.
See on the way/on it's way
75.
See one way or another/one way or the other
76.
See one way or another/one way or the other
77.
See in more ways than one
78.
See the other way around
79.
See on the way out
80.
See go out of one's way
81.
See keep out of sb's way/stay out of sb's way
82.
See be out of the way
83.
See go one's own way
84.
See in the same way
85.
See be set in one's ways
86.
See that way/this way
87.
See that way/this way
88.
See the way things are going
89.
See to my way of thinking
90.
See no two ways about it
91.
See under way
92.
See every which way
93.
See every which way
94.
See way to go
95. to see the error of your ways
96. to look the other way
More Synonyms of way
-way
(-weɪ)
1. combining form
-way combines with numbers to form adjectives that describe a means of communication that functions or takes place between the stated number of people.
...a two-way radio.
...a system of three-way communication.
2. See also one-way, two-way
way in British English
(weɪ)
noun
1.
a manner, method, or means
a way of life
a way of knowing
2.
a route or direction
the way home
3.
a.
a means or line of passage, such as a path or track
b.
(in combination)
waterway
4.
space or room for movement or activity (esp in the phrases make way, in the way, out of the way)
5.
distance, usually distance in general
you've come a long way
6.
a passage or journey
on the way
7.
characteristic style or manner
I did it in my own way
8. (often plural)
habits; idiosyncrasies
he has some offensive ways
9.
an aspect of something; particular
in many ways he was right
10.
a.
a street in or leading out of a town
b.
(capital when part of a street name)
Icknield Way
11.
something that one wants in a determined manner (esp in the phrases get or have one's (own) way)
12.
the experience or sphere in which one comes into contact with things (esp in the phrase come one's way)
13. informal
a state or condition, usually financial or concerning health (esp in the phrases in a good (or bad) way)
14. informal
the area or direction of one's home
drop in if you're ever over my way
15.
movement of a ship or other vessel
16.
a right of way in law
17.
a guide along which something can be moved, such as the surface of a lathe along which the tailstock slides
18. (plural)
the wooden or metal tracks down which a ship slides to be launched
19.
a course of life including experiences, conduct, etc
the way of sin
20. archaic
calling or trade
21. by the way
22. by way of
23. each way
24. give way
25. give way to
26. go out of one's way
27. have a way with
28. have it both ways
29. in a way
30. in no way
31. lead the way
32. make one's way
33. no way
34. on the way out
35. out of the way
36. pay one's way
37. see one's way
38. the way
39. under way
adverb
40. informal
a.
at a considerable distance or extent
way over yonder
b.
very far
they're way up the mountain
41. informal
by far; considerably
way better
42. slang
truly; genuinely
they have a way cool site
Word origin
Old English weg; related to Old Frisian wei, Old Norse vegr, Gothic wigs
way in American English
(weɪ)
noun
1.
a means of passing from one place to another, as a road, highway, street or path
the Appian Way
2.
room or space for passing; free area; an opening, as in a crowd or traffic
clear a way for the ambulance
3.
a route or course that is or may be used to go from one place to another
often used in combination
highway, railway, one-way street
4.
a specified route or direction
on the way to town
5.
a path in life; course or habits of life or conduct
to fall into evil ways
6.
a.
a course of action; method or manner of doing something
do it this way
b.
a means to an end; method
a way to cut costs
7.
a usual or customary manner of living, acting, or being
the way of the world
8.
a characteristic manner of acting or doing
to learn the ways of other people
9.
manner or style
to have a pleasant way
10.
distance
a long way off
11.
direction of movement or action
go this way; look this way
12.
respect; point; particular; feature
to be right in some ways
13.
what one desires; wish; will
to have or get one's own way
14.
range or scope, as of experience
a method that never came in his way
15.
relationship as to those taking part
used in hyphenated compounds
a four-way conversation
16. Informal
a (specified) state or condition
to be in a bad way
17. Informal
a district; locality; area
out our way
18. Law; Rare
right of way (sense 2)
19. Mechanics
a surface or slide on which the carriage of a lathe, etc. moves along its bed
20. Nautical
a ship's movement or momentum through water
21. [pl.]; Shipbuilding
a timber framework on which a ship is built and along which it slides in launching
adverb
22. Informal
away; far; to a considerable extent or at some distance
way behind
Idioms:
by the way
by way of
come someone's way
give way
give way to
go all the way
go out of the way
in the way
lead the way
make one's way
make way
on the way out
out of the way
parting of the ways
see one's way clear
take one's way
the way
under way
Word origin
ME < OE weg, akin to Ger < IE base *weĝh-, to go > L vehere, to carry, ride, Gr ochos, wagon
More idioms containing
way
that's the way the cookie crumbles
there's more than one way to skin a cat
see which way the cat jumps
be way off beam
laugh all the way to the bank
someone can't fight their way out of a paper bag
smooth the way
all the way down the line
the easy way out
go back a long way
look the other way
pave the way for something
rub someone up the wrong way
see which way the wind is blowing
COBUILD Collocations
way
alternative way
brilliant way
different way
effective way
fantastic way
hard way
ideal way
new way
old-fashioned way
only way
particular way
perfect way
positive way
possible way
practical way
roundabout way
sensible way
unique way
useful way
usual way
Examples of 'way' in a sentence
way
He promised to make an effort but he was soon back to his old ways.
The Sun (2017)
Your love chart is packed with surprises just the way you like it.
The Sun (2017)
The way you make people feel good about themselves wins support for your home plans.
The Sun (2016)
The bad news is that they could go all the way back down again.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Perhaps this is one way to add years to our life and life to our years.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is no better way to make something unspeakable than not to name it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They always look a little bit saucy and a long way away from school uniform tights.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Things have not gone her way this season but there have been excuses.
The Sun (2016)
Your thoughts go deep and you find a way to talk and listen that really encourages others.
The Sun (2016)
An alternative way of transferring money from one generation to another is to make what are called regular gifts from income.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This is just the way it is here.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The establishment has to give way to youth.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This is a surefire way to save money on fuel.
The Sun (2008)
It was important to get to back to winning ways today.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There was only one way to find out what these differences meant in practice.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Protestants had already established school systems and colleges in this way.
Christianity Today (2000)
So this is our way of giving something back.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We are a long way away from that.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The sense that they could go either way is increasingly unavoidable.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You have to find a way of turning them around and awaiting your opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In no way is this film disrespectful.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Some one was hurriedly forcing his way through this group and coming toward him.
Frances Hodgson Burnett Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886)
The way the different areas link together.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Was there a way to make tourist accommodation unique yet universally available?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You can talk about money in a calm and factual way that ensures people listen.
The Sun (2014)
We still have a long way to go.
The Sun (2011)
Though by far the best way of getting from end to end is to walk.
The Sun (2014)
This represents a change in the way we think about cancer.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There are double standards in the way footballers and other sportsmen are perceived and portrayed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You may be surprised that guys with lower averages are some way above those with more impressive figures.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
As it makes its way across the city, passengers can be seen furiously pedalling on exercise bikes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I thought writing might be a good way to deal with it all.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Quotations
The longest way round is the shortest way home
In other languages
way
British English: way /weɪ/ NOUN
manner A way of doing something is how you do it.
This is the way to throw the ball.
American English: way
Arabic: سَبِيل
Brazilian Portuguese: maneira
Chinese: 方法
Croatian: način
Czech: způsob
Danish: vej
Dutch: manier
European Spanish: camino
Finnish: tapa tyyli, keino
French: façon
German: Weg
Greek: τρόπος
Italian: strada
Japanese: 方法
Korean: 방법
Norwegian: måte
Polish: droga
European Portuguese: maneira
Romanian: mod
Russian: путь
Latin American Spanish: camino
Swedish: väg
Thai: วิธีหรือแนวทาง
Turkish: yol
Ukrainian: спосіб
Vietnamese: cách thức
British English: way /weɪ/ NOUN
route The way to a place is how you get there.
We're going the wrong way!
American English: way
Arabic: اِتِّـجَاه
Brazilian Portuguese: caminho
Chinese: 路
Croatian: put
Czech: cestatrasa
Danish: vej
Dutch: richting
European Spanish: camino
Finnish: suunta
French: cheminitinéraire
German: Weg
Greek: κατεύθυνση
Italian: sbagliato
Japanese: 道
Korean: 길
Norwegian: vei
Polish: droga
European Portuguese: caminho
Romanian: cale
Russian: путь
Latin American Spanish: camino
Swedish: väg
Thai: ทาง
Turkish: yol
Ukrainian: шлях
Vietnamese: đường đi
All related terms of 'way'
no way
You can say no way as an emphatic way of saying no.
new way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
one-way
In one-way streets or traffic systems, vehicles can only travel along in one direction.
the way
so that
two-way
Two-way means moving or working in two opposite directions or allowing something to move or work in two opposite directions.
way-out
If you describe someone or something as way-out , you are critical of them because they are very unusual , often in a way that is very modern or fashionable .
each way
If you bet money each way on the result of a horse race or a dog race, you will win some money if the animal you bet on comes first, second, third, or sometimes fourth .
Fosse Way
a Roman road in Britain between Lincoln and Exeter , with a fosse on each side
four-way
giving passage in four directions
gang way
if someone calls out gang way! they are asking people to make way or clear a path
give way
to collapse or break down
hard way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
ideal way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
lane-way
a lane
make way
If one person or thing makes way for another, the first is replaced by the second.
Milky Way
The Milky Way is the pale strip of light consisting of many stars that you can see stretched across the sky at night.
only way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
part way
Part way means part of the way or partly .
Third Way
The Third Way is used to refer to a set of political beliefs and principles that is neither extremely right-wing nor extremely left-wing .
three-way
providing connections to three routes from a central point
under way
If an activity is under way , it has already started. If an activity gets under way , it starts.
usual way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
way-cool
outstanding ; excellent ; marvellous
way point
a place or point between major points on a route
way port
a port of call on a particular route
way train
a train that stops at way stations
Appian Way
a Roman road in Italy , extending from Rome to Brindisi : begun in 312 bc by Appius Claudius Caecus. Length: about 560 km (350 miles)
by way of
You use by way of when you are explaining the purpose of something that you have said or are about to say . For example , if you say something by way of an introduction , you say it as an introduction.
either way
You use either way in order to introduce a statement which is true in each of the two possible or alternative cases that you have just mentioned .
family way
→ in the family way
in a way
If you say that something is true in a way , you mean that although it is not completely true, it is true to a limited extent or in certain respects. You use in a way to reduce the force of a statement .
in no way
You use in no way or not in any way to emphasize that a statement is not at all true .
Pennine Way
a long-distance footpath extending from Edale, Derbyshire , for 402 km (250 miles) to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders
perfect way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
Swann's Way
the first part of the very long, seven-volume novel by Marcel Proust , 'In Remembrance of Things Past ' (also called 'In Search of Lost Time'), in which Charles Swann meets his eventual wife, Odette; one of its major themes is memory
through way
a way that traffic or vehicles can pass through
unique way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
United Way
a worldwide organization ( United Way Worldwide ) or any of its affiliated local groups that raise funds through individual contributions and allocate them to benefit civic and charitable programs and organizations, as the YMCA and Red Cross
useful way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
way station
A way station is a place where people stop to eat and rest when they are on a long journey.
way to go
You can say ' Way to go ' to show that you are pleased or impressed by something someone has done.
brilliant way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
by the way
You say by the way when you add something to what you are saying , especially something that you have just thought of.
different way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
effective way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
Eightfold Way
a scheme for classifying hadrons according to a symmetry principle based on strangeness and isotopic spin : a forerunner of the quark model
fantastic way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
Flaminian Way
an ancient road in Italy , extending north from Rome to Rimini : constructed in 220 bc by Gaius Flaminius . Length: over 322 km (200 miles)
in the way
If you say that someone gets in the way or is in the way , you are annoyed because their presence or their actions stop you doing something properly.
permanent way
the track of a railway , including the ballast , sleepers , rails , etc
Chinese translation of 'way'
way
(weɪ)
n
(c) (= route) 路 (lù) (条(條), tiáo)
⇒ A man asked me the way to St Paul's.有一个人问我去圣保罗教堂的路怎么走。 (Yǒu yī gè rén wèn wǒ qù Shèngbǎoluó jiàotáng de lù zěnme zǒu.)
(c) (= path, access) 路线(線) (lùxiàn)
⇒ This is the way in.这是进来的路线。 (Zhè shì jìnlái de lùxiàn.)
(s) (= distance) 距离(離) (jùlí)
⇒ We've a fair way to go yet.我们还颇有一段距离要走。 (Wǒmen hái pō yǒu yī duàn jùlí yào zǒu.)
(c) (= direction) 方向 (fāngxiàng) (个(個), gè)
⇒ Which way did she go?她朝哪个方向去了? (Tā cháo nǎge fāngxiàng qù le?)
(c) (= manner) 方式 (fāngshì) (种(種), zhǒng)
⇒ Do you like the way he dealt with the problem?你喜欢他处理这个问题的方式吗? (Nǐ xǐhuan tā chǔlǐ zhège wèntí de fāngshì ma?)
⇒ She smiled in a friendly way.她友好地笑了笑。 (Tā yǒuhǎo de xiào le xiào.)
(c) (= method) 方法 (fāngfǎ) (个(個), gè)
⇒ different ways of cooking fish不同的烹调鱼的方法 (bùtóng de pēngtiáo yú de fāngfǎ)
adv
(= far, a lot) 远(遠)远(遠)地 (yuǎnyuǎn de)
⇒ He was way behind.他远远落在了后面。 (Tā yuǎnyuǎn là zài le hòumiàn.)
⇒ We'll have to decide way in advance.我们得早早地提前作决定。 (Wǒmen děi zǎozǎo de tíqián zuò juédìng.)