way
Way is a space for passing or going from one place to another, or a manner of doing something.
(noun)- An example of a way is the route to get from one place to another.
- An example of a way is folding a shirt in half lengthwise and in half again.
YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.
See way in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a means of passing from one place to another, as a road, highway, street or path: the Appian Way
- room or space for passing; free area; an opening, as in a crowd or traffic: clear a way for the ambulance
- 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
- a specified route or direction: on the way to town
- a path in life; course or habits of life or conduct: to fall into evil ways
- a course of action; method or manner of doing something: do it this way
- a means to an end; method: a way to cut costs
- a usual or customary manner of living, acting, or being: the way of the world
- a characteristic manner of acting or doing: to learn the ways of other people
- manner or style: to have a pleasant way
- distance: a long way off
- direction of movement or action: go this way; look this way
- respect; point; particular; feature: to be right in some ways
- what one desires; wish; will: to have or get one's own way
- range or scope, as of experience: a method that never came in his way
- relationship as to those taking part: used in hyphenated compounds: a four-way conversation
- Informal a (specified) state or condition: to be in a bad way
- Informal a district; locality; area: out our way
- Law, Now Rare right of way (sense )
- Mech. a surface or slide on which the carriage of a lathe, etc. moves along its bed
- Naut. a ship's movement or momentum through water
- 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
- 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.
- a. Space to proceed: cleared the way for the parade.b. Opportunity to advance: opened the way to peace.
- A course that is or may be used in going from one place to another: tried to find the shortest way home.
- Progress or travel along a certain route or in a specific direction: on his way north.
- A course of conduct or action: tried to take the easy way out.
- A manner or method of doing: several ways of solving this problem; had no way to reach her.
- A usual or habitual manner or mode of being, living, or acting: the American way of life.
- An individual or personal manner of behaving, acting, or doing: Have it your own way.
- also ways (wāz) (used with a sing. verb) Informal Distance: The travelers have come a long way. That village is a good ways off.
- a. A specific direction: He glanced my way.b. A participant. Often used in combination: a three-way conversation.
- 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.
- Freedom to do as one wishes: if I had my way.
- An aptitude or facility: She certainly does have a way with words.
- A state or condition: He is in a bad way financially.
- Vicinity: Drop in when you're out our way.
- A longitudinal strip on a surface that serves to guide a moving machine part. Often used in the plural.
- ways (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Nautical The structure on which a ship is built and from which it slides when launched.
- Informal By a great distance or to a great degree; far: way off base; way too expensive.
- Slang Very; extremely: “Can they really make a car that's way cool?” (Fortune).
- Informal From this place; away: Go way.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Old English weg; see wegh- in Indo-European roots
. 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.Learn more about way
