way

Way is a space for passing or going from one place to another, or a manner of doing something.

(noun)

  1. An example of a way is the route to get from one place to another.
  2. An example of a way is folding a shirt in half lengthwise and in half again.

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See way in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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
    1. a course of action; method or manner of doing something: do it this way
    2. a means to an end; method: a way to cut costs
  6. a usual or customary manner of living, acting, or being: the way of the world
  7. a characteristic manner of acting or doing: to learn the ways of other people
  8. manner or style: to have a pleasant way
  9. distance: a long way off
  10. direction of movement or action: go this way; look this way
  11. respect; point; particular; feature: to be right in some ways
  12. what one desires; wish; will: to have or get one's own way
  13. range or scope, as of experience: a method that never came in his way
  14. relationship as to those taking part: used in hyphenated compounds: a four-way conversation
  15. Informal a (specified) state or condition: to be in a bad way
  16. Informal a district; locality; area: out our way
  17. Law, Now Rare right of way (sense )
  18. Mech. a surface or slide on which the carriage of a lathe, etc. moves along its bed
  19. Naut. a ship's movement or momentum through water
  20. Shipbuilding a timber framework on which a ship is built and along which it slides in launching

Origin: ME < OE weg, akin to Ger < IE base *weĝh-, to go > L vehere, to carry, ride, Gr ochos, wagon

adverb

Informal away; far; to a considerable extent or at some distance: way behind

See way in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A road, path, or highway affording passage from one place to another.
    b. An opening affording passage: This door is the only way into the attic.
  2. a. Space to proceed: cleared the way for the parade.
    b. Opportunity to advance: opened the way to peace.
  3. A course that is or may be used in going from one place to another: tried to find the shortest way home.
  4. Progress or travel along a certain route or in a specific direction: on his way north.
  5. A course of conduct or action: tried to take the easy way out.
  6. A manner or method of doing: several ways of solving this problem; had no way to reach her.
  7. A usual or habitual manner or mode of being, living, or acting: the American way of life.
  8. An individual or personal manner of behaving, acting, or doing: Have it your own way.
  9. also ways (wāz) (used with a sing. verb) Informal Distance: The travelers have come a long way. That village is a good ways off.
  10. a. A specific direction: He glanced my way.
    b. A participant. Often used in combination: a three-way conversation.
  11. a. An aspect, particular, or feature: resembles his father in many ways; in no way comparable.
    b. Nature or category: not much in the way of a plot.
  12. Freedom to do as one wishes: if I had my way.
  13. An aptitude or facility: She certainly does have a way with words.
  14. A state or condition: He is in a bad way financially.
  15. Vicinity: Drop in when you're out our way.
  16. A longitudinal strip on a surface that serves to guide a moving machine part. Often used in the plural.
  17. ways (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Nautical The structure on which a ship is built and from which it slides when launched.
adverb
  1. Informal By a great distance or to a great degree; far: way off base; way too expensive.
  2. Slang Very; extremely: “Can they really make a car that's way cool?” (Fortune).
  3. Informal From this place; away: Go way.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English weg; see wegh- in Indo-European roots

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Usage Note: Way has long been an intensifying adverb meaning “to a great degree,” as in way over budget. This usage is both acceptable and common but has an informal ring. • Way is also used as a general intensifier, as in way cool and way depressing. This locution has expanded beyond its original range of younger speakers, but it is still regarded as slang. • In American English ways is often used as an equivalent of way in phrases such as a long ways to go. The usage is acceptable but is usually considered informal.

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