First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1way
noun \ˈwā\
: how someone or something does something : how someone or something behaves, appears, feels, etc.
: a method or system that can be used to do something
: a person's usual habits, actions, qualities, etc.
Full Definition of WAY
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 (as a series of actions or sequence of events) leading in a direction or toward an objective <led the way to eventual open heart operations — Current 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>
10
a plural but sometimes sing in constr : an inclined structure upon which a ship is built or supported in launching b plural : the guiding surfaces on the bed of a machine along which a table or carriage moves
11
12
: motion or speed of a ship or boat through the water
— 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 also 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 way — Ellen 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
See way defined for English-language learners
See way defined for kids
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Origin of WAY
Middle English, from Old English weg; akin to Old High German weg way, Old English wegan to move, Latin vehere to carry, via way
Related to WAY
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with WAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, weigh, whey, yea
2way
adjective
Definition of WAY
: of, connected with, or constituting an intermediate point on a route
First Known Use of WAY
1799
3way
adverb
: to a great distance or extent : very far
: by a great amount
Full Definition of WAY
1
2
: all the way <pull the switch way back>
— from way back
: of long standing <friends from way back>
See way defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WAY
1849
Related to WAY
- Synonyms
- achingly, almighty, archly, awful, awfully, badly, beastly, blisteringly, bone, colossally, corking, cracking, damn, damned, dang, deadly, desperately, eminently, enormously, especially, ever, exceedingly (also exceeding), extra, extremely, fabulously, fantastically, far, fiercely, filthy, frightfully, full, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, immensely, incredibly, intensely, jolly, majorly, mightily, mighty, monstrous [chiefly dialect], mortally, most, much, particularly, passing, rattling, real, really, right, roaring, roaringly, seriously, severely, so, sore, sorely, spanking, specially, stinking, such, super, supremely, surpassingly, terribly, that, thumping, too, unco, uncommonly, vastly, vitally, very, whacking, wicked, wildly
- Antonyms
- little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, somewhat
WAY Defined for Kids
1way
noun \ˈwā\
Definition of WAY for Kids
1
: the manner in which something is done or happens <… Nick could feel a homework assignment coming the way a farmer can feel a rainstorm. — Andrew Clements, Frindle>
2
: the course traveled from one place to another : route <Do you know the way to my house?>
3
: a noticeable point <In some ways I wish I lived closer to school.>
4
: 1state 1 <That's the way things are.>
5
: distance in time or space <You're a long way from home.> <The wedding is still a long way off.>
6
: a special or personal manner of behaving <Being quiet is just my way.>
7
: a talent for handling something <He has a way with words.>
8
: room to advance or pass <Make way—coming through!>
9
: direction 1 <I paid full fare each way.>
11
: a course of action <He chose the easy way.>
12
: personal choice as to situation or behavior : wish <She insists on getting her way.>
13
: progress along a course <I'm working my way through college.>
14
: a particular place <The weather has been nice out our way.>
15
— by the way
: apart from that <By the way, did you hear what happened?>
— by way of
1
: for the purpose of <I mentioned it by way of example.>
2
: by the route through <We drove by way of back roads.>
— in someone's way also in the way
: in a position to hinder or obstruct
— out of the way
1
: in or to a place away from public view
2
: done fully <He got his homework out of the way.>
2way
adverb
Definition of WAY for Kids
1
: 1far 1 <The sleeves hung way down.>
2
: 1far 2 <He eats way too much candy.>
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