way

Pluralways

Formsways, waying, wayed

1. 1
   mannernouncountable

   A method or manner of doing something, or a person's characteristic manner or habit.

   There is no right way to grieve.

   He is set in his ways.

   UsageUse way to + verb or way of + -ing: the best way to learn, a new way of working.

   Similarmethod, manner, approach, fashion, means

2. 2
   course (travel)nouncountable

   A road, route or direction leading from one place to another, including a means of getting into or out of a place.

   The firefighters searched for a way out of the burning building.

   The way up the mountain is steep.

   UsageAsk the way to a place. On the way means during the trip; in the way means blocking it.

   Similarroute, path, road, passage

   Note

   Milton could write that the way seems difficult and steep to scale, and Evelyn judged the season and the ways unfit for an army's march, the plural meaning the roads themselves. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • Milton wrote the wording about the way seeming difficult and steep to scale; it occurs in Moloch's speech in Paradise Lost, Book II. dev.gutenberg.org
   • Evelyn described the season and roads as unsuitable for an army's march. gutenberg.org
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A particular degree, amount, or sense.

   The movie was a small masterpiece in its way, though few people ever saw it.

   He is right, in a limited way.

   UsageIn a way softens a claim: in a way, he's right. In its way means judged on its own terms.

   Similarrespect, sense, regard

4. 4
   nouncountable

   A distance, or a stretch of time, from one point to another, often described as long, little, or short.

   We walked a little way along the beach before turning back.

   Retirement is still a long way off for most of the people in my office.

   UsageIn positive statements a long way often sounds more natural than far: it's a long way from here. Use far in questions.

   Similardistance

5. 5
   much (comparing)adverbcolloquial

   Far or much, used informally before a comparative, too plus an adjective, or an adverb or phrase of place or time.

   That's way more than we need.

   The test was way harder than last year's.

   UsageIn careful writing, use much or far instead: much better, far too late.

   Similarfar, much

   Oppositeslightly

6. 6
   noun

   The possibility of something happening or being done, found mainly in the expressions any way and no way.

   No way was he going to apologize.

   If there's any way I can help, call me.

   UsageNo way! alone shows disbelief or a flat refusal. Do not confuse any way (two words) with anyway (in any case).

   Similarchance, possibility, means

7. 7
   nouncountable

   With 'the' and usually a modifier, the beliefs, values, customs, or practices followed by a group or tradition.

   The way of the warrior demanded silence.

   The elders fear that the old ways of the valley will be forgotten within a generation.

   Similarcustom, tradition, path, practice

8. 8
   noun

   The course of action someone is set on, especially when they insist on it over others' wishes.

   If I had my way, we'd leave tonight.

   The board let him have his way on the merger.

   UsageSet phrases: get your way, if I had my way, and have it your way, said when giving in.

9. 9
   conditionnoun

   A state or condition that someone or something is in.

   The business is in a poor way this year.

   When his business collapsed, he was in a bad way for months and barely left the house.

   UsageMostly in in a bad way, meaning very ill, hurt or upset, and in a poor way.

   Similarstate, condition, shape

10. 10
    noununcountable

    Open space or a clear path for going forward or getting by, physically or figuratively, used mostly in phrases like in the way, out of the way and make way for.

    The driver pulled onto the shoulder to get out of the way of the fire truck.

    The company's founders stepped down to make way for a younger generation of leaders.

    Similarroom, space

    Note

    Here the way is not the route itself, as in the "road" meaning, but the clear space along it that someone else needs. The phrases split on the article: make way takes none and names the one let through with for, while in the way and out of the way take the and name the obstacle, with of adding who is blocked (out of the way of the fire truck).

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