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⇱ WAY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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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 operations.β€”πŸ‘ Image
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 rudeβ€”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 β€”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 β€”usually used in the phrase in the way of
… doesn't require much in the way of expensive equipment.β€”πŸ‘ Image
Forbes
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
see also:
Phrases
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 mice.β€”πŸ‘ Image
James Thurber

Synonyms of way

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And, because of how the draft lottery is currently structured, the best way to guarantee a top-eight pick is to finish the season as one of the league’s four worst teams. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026 The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Use multi-way wear options, such as transitioning a bag from a shoulder tote to a hands-free backpack or crossbody to navigate city streets with ease. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026 Customers rave about these bags for their perfect size, sturdiness, detachable bottom, and multi-way straps. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 6 Dec. 2022
Adverb
Sure, there were errant 3-pointers, and a wild reverse layup that was way off in the third quarter. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026 Our light posts are probably 30 feet high, so they are perched way above any other structure in the area. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for way

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

Phrases Containing way

Rhymes for way

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œWay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/way. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

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
informal
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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