way

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a thoroughfare for travel or transportation from place to place
b
: an opening for passage
this door is the only way out of the room
2
: the course traveled from one place to another : route
asked the way to the museum
3
a
: a course (such as a series of actions or sequence of events) leading in a direction or toward an objective
led the way to eventual open heart operationsCurrent Biography
b(1)
: a course of action
took the easy way out
(2)
: opportunity, capability, or fact of doing as one pleases
always manages to get her own way
c
: a possible decision, action, or outcome : possibility
they were rude—no two ways about it
4
a
: manner or method of doing or happening
admired her way of thinking
also : method of accomplishing : means
that's the way to do it
b
: feature, respect
in no way resembles her mother
c
: a usually specified degree of participation in an activity or enterprise
active in real estate in a small way
5
a
: characteristic, regular, or habitual manner or mode of being, behaving, or happening
knows nothing of the ways of women
b
: ability to get along well or perform well
she has a way with kids
a way with words
6
: the length of a course : distance
has come a long way in her studies
still have a way to go
7
: movement or progress along a course
worked her way up the corporate ladder
8
a
: direction
is coming this way
b
: participant
usually used in combination
three-way discussion
9
: state of affairs : condition, state
that's the way things are
10
a
ways plural in form but sometimes singular in construction : an inclined structure upon which a ship is built or supported in launching
b
ways plural : the guiding surfaces on the bed of a machine along which a table or carriage moves
11
: category, kind
usually used in the phrase in the way of
doesn't require much in the way of expensive equipmentForbes
12
: motion or speed of a ship or boat through the water

way

2 of 3

adjective

: of, connected with, or constituting an intermediate point on a route

way

3 of 3

adverb

1
informal
a
: by a long distance : to a considerable degree or extent : far
is way ahead of the class
sat way in the back row
b
: by far : much
ate way too much
that's way too expensive
c
: very sense 1
way cool
way excited
2
: all the way
pull the switch way back
Phrases
all the way
: to the full or entire extent : as far as possible
ran all the way home
seated all the way in the back
by the way
: by way of interjection or digression : incidentally
by way of
1
: for the purpose of
2
: by the route through : via
in a way
1
: within limits : with reservations
2
: from one point of view
in one's way or less commonly in the way
1
: in a position to be encountered by one : in or along one's course
an opportunity had been put in my wayEllen Glasgow
2
: in a position to hinder or obstruct
on the way or on one's way
: moving along in one's course : in progress
out of the way
1
: wrong, improper
didn't know I'd said anything out of the way
2
a
: in or to a secluded place
b
: unusual, remarkable
there's nothing out of the way about the plan
3
: done, completed
got his homework out of the way
the way
1
: in view of the manner in which
you'd think she was rich, the way she spends money
2
: like, as
we have cats the way other people have miceJames Thurber
from way back
: of long standing
friends from way back
Choose the Right Synonym for way

method, mode, manner, way, fashion, system mean the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end.

method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps.

effective teaching methods

mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference.

the preferred mode of transportation

manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive.

an odd manner of conducting

way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words.

has her own way of doing things

fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something.

rushing about in his typical fashion

system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness.

a filing system

Examples of way in a Sentence

Noun We'll try doing it your way first. Let me explain it this way. You can pay for your purchase in one of two ways: by cash or by credit card. Which door is the way in? The back way was blocked. This door is the only way out of the room. Adverb He is way ahead of the other runners. They live way out in the country. We sat way back in the last row. I missed a week of class and fell way behind. Your parents are way cool.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Those two together really tells the story of his whole life, in a way. Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The exterminator said that means they might be nested in the walls, in which case the only way to remove the nest was to rip open the wall. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 How to Find Free Testing for Learning Disabilities Near You The most straightforward way to have your child evaluated for a learning disability is through the local public school. Suzie Glassman, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Faced with only being able to secure an interpolation deal and not an outright sample clearance, artists will sometimes re-record a song in ways that sound very similar to the original recording. Bill Donahue, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 These previous maps were static, but with improvements in technology, conservationists saw a way to make a real-time system. Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Ease your way into the world of slouchier styles by grabbing this straight-leg pair that looks so similar to Anderson’s. Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Thomas spun his way through the lane and lofted a floater that tied it with 0.5 seconds left, and the Aztecs were headed to their second straight overtime game. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 Netflix’s Shirley is in so many ways a companion piece to the streaming platform’s recent Rustin that the two films could be entries in the same anthology series. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Customers rave about these bags for their perfect size, sturdiness, detachable bottom, and multi-way straps. Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 6 Dec. 2022 The multi-way stretch fabric truly moves with you while maintaining its compression. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2022 The durable approach and spacious, multi-way designs may seem to be best styled with a gorpcore jacket, hiking boots, and a scenic vista. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 July 2022 On its top plate there’s a brass multi-way controller incised with grooved concentric rings. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 15 June 2022 At a multi-way intersection, traffic lights and directional signage jostle for attention. Mark Rozzo, The New Yorker, 12 May 2022 Whoever wins what is shaping up to be a multi-way race will confront critical decisions on Day 1. Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2022 Instead, Simpson donned protective gear and arranged a multi-way video call on her cellphone from Alvarado’s room. Lauren Caruba, ExpressNews.com, 12 July 2020
Adverb
The fact that the increase in spend is way up on this is that Bilbao and Bizkaia are attracting ever bigger shoots not just more titles. John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 That’s important in an era when violent crimes like rape and murder are down but car burglaries and other forms of property theft are way up. Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Certain bakery brands offer a seven-grain bread, but there are actually way more than seven types of whole grains. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Energy prices have come way down since spiking after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Sports betting has eaten sports alive, and not without consequence: Calls to gambling-addiction hotlines are way up since 2018. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2024 While Pink Friday 2’s sales are way up, the album is actually falling on several charts. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 China One could have survived no soap at the handwash sink and way too much grease and food debris on a dry goods storage rack, the stove, fry canisters and hood filters. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 Records indicate Wan bought the house way back in 2007, paying $3.2 million; for much of the past 10 years, the property has been leased out. James McClain, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'way.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English weg; akin to Old High German weg way, Old English wegan to move, Latin vehere to carry, via way

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of way was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near way

Cite this Entry

“Way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/way. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

way

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a track for travel : path
b
: an opening for passage (as through a crowd or a gate)
no way out
2
a
: a course traveled : route
b
: direction sense 3
come this way
the wrong way
3
a
: a course of action
chose the easy way
b
: opportunity or power of doing as one pleases
have your own way
c
: possibility sense 1
there are no two ways about it
4
a
: the manner in which something is done or happens
this way of thinking
a new way of painting
b
: a noticeable part or detail
a good worker in many ways
c
: state entry 1 sense 1a
the way things are
5
: a particular or typical manner of behavior
it's just his way
has a nice way with his pets
6
a
: distance entry 1 sense 1b
a short way down the road
b
: progress along a course
earning her way through school
made her way with difficulty
7
: locality
visit when you are out our way
8
: category sense 1
get what you need in the way of supplies

way

2 of 2 adverb
1
a
: far entry 1 sense 1
is way ahead of the class
b
: far entry 1 sense 2
ate way too much
c
2
: all the way
pull the switch way back

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