way
way
/weɪ/
method/style
1 countable a method, style or manner of doing something I prefer to do things the easy way.
I love him and I think he feels the same way.
way to do something I'm sure we can find a way to make this work.
Using the subway is the only way to avoid the traffic.
(informal, disapproving) That's no way to speak to your mother!
way of doing something I'm not happy with this way of working.
way (that)… It's not what you say, it's the way that you say it.
I hate the way she always criticizes me.
I told you we should have done it my way!
in the… way She dresses in the same way as her sister.
Infectious diseases can be acquired in several ways.
In this way, we can track the storms as they move across the ocean.
in the way (that)… It works in the way you'd expect.
New technology has radically changed the way in which this work is done.
in a way that… She writes in a way that is easy to understand.
I generally get what I want one way or another (= by some means).
That's not the right way to hold a pair of scissors.
Artists began to invent new ways of painting.
Most people are creative in one way or another.
You'll have to close everything down and restart your computer. It's the only way.
to look at ways of improving language teaching
I like the way (that) you did that.
There are several possible ways of dealing with this problem.
They were asked to come up with ways of working more efficiently.
This is the best way of keeping in touch with friends while you're away.
What way would you use?
You won't impress the judges that way.
a unique way of settling disputes
a sure-fire way to get him to do whatever I want
a cost-effective way to boost performance
Do you remember? Or, put another way, do you know?
God works in mysterious ways.
I chose a different way of collecting data.
I would think of some clever way to get myself out of this situation.
One way or another, I'm going to make it.
Students develop those skills in myriad ways.
The best way to open it is with pliers.
The most important way to stop accidental drownings is by education.
There are a number of ways to overcome this problem.
There is no subtle way to tell someone that you no longer want them.
They believe he'll figure out a way to make it work.
They've explored every possible way of dealing with the problem.
We are searching for innovative and creative ways to solve the many problems facing us.
They have never contributed in any meaningful way to our civilization.
We did it the old-fashioned way.
We expect computers to react a certain way, in certain situations.
They see the project as a way of helping poor families.
The only way to avoid GM ingredients is to buy certified organic food.
University changed the way I viewed the world.
I don't agree with his way of thinking.
The problem can be seen in a variety of ways.
Collocations
adjective
convenienteasyeffective…
… of ways
number
verb + way
haveexplorelook at…
preposition
in a/the way
phrases
in a certain wayin a big wayin every way…
behaviour
2 countable a particular manner or style of behaviour in a… way They grinned at her in a friendly way.
It was not his way to admit that he had made a mistake.
Don't worry, if she seems quiet—it's just her way.
He was showing off, as is the way with adolescent boys.
Extra Examples
He has a way of staring at you that is very unnerving.
She worked hard to act in an honest way.
‘Hi there,’ said Tom in a friendly way.
She's behaving in a very mysterious way.
She spoke in a way that put everyone at their ease.
He was a handsome man in a sinister sort of way.
Try to approach this in a sensible way.
I could tell he liked her from the way he looked at her.
3 ways plural the typical way of behaving and living of a particular group of people After ten years I'm used to the strange British ways.
She always said that the old ways were the best.
route/road
to ask somebody the way
Do you know the way?
way to… Can you tell me the way to Leicester Square?
way from… to… the best/quickest/shortest way from A to B
We went the long way round.
Can you tell me the way out of here?
He showed us the way.
She asked him the way to the station.
The way across the fields is longer but pleasanter.
The way through the woods is quicker.
We walked along the covered way to the science building.
the easiest way from my house to yours
I didn't know the way and I had no map.
I stopped to ask the way.
I think they must have gone the long way round.
Is this the right way to the station?
The quickest way to the house is through the woods.
We parted ways once we went off to college.
They've led the way in achieving political and social reforms.
I'll be with you every step of the way.
Collocations
adjective
bestquickestright…
verb + way
gopartgo out of…
preposition
along the wayin the/your wayout of the/your way…
phrases
take the easy way outthe way backthe way forward…
5 countable, usually singular the route along which somebody/something is moving; the route that somebody/something would take if there was nothing stopping them/it Get out of my way! I'm in a hurry.
Riot police with shields were blocking the demonstrators' way.
along the way Unfortunately they ran into a snowstorm along the way.
+ adv./prep. We fought our way through the dense vegetation.
(figurative) We will eventually find a way out of the crisis.
A fallen tree blocked the way.
He couldn't find a way through the bracken.
He had to navigate his way through the city's one-way streets.
He edged his way along the wall.
She fought her way up to the top of the company.
We saw a dreadful accident along the way.
A fallen tree was blocking their way.
They had to fight their way through the crowd.
They inched their way along the tunnel.
Could you please get those boxes out of my way?
The procession snaked its way through the town.
(figurative) The withdrawal of troops should clear the way for a peace settlement.
The river wound its way through the valley.
The climber inched his way up the sheer cliff face.
She bluffed her way through the exam.
The street wove its way through the hills.
SEE ALSO right of way
6 countable a road, path or street for travelling along There's a way across the fields.
SEE ALSO freeway, highway, motorway, railway, waterway
7 Way used in the names of streets
106 Headley Way
direction
Which way did they go?
We just missed a car coming the other way.
Look both ways (= look left and right) before crossing the road.
Make sure that sign's the right way up.
The pipe could be moved a few inches either way.
Kids were running this way and that (= in all directions).
They decided to split the money four ways (= between four different people).
(figurative) Which way (= for which party) are you going to vote?
He looked my way, but didn't seem to recognize me.
Walk this way, please.
I went the opposite way.
There's a huge storm heading this way.
They've gone the wrong way.
He narrowly avoided a car coming the other way.
Try it the other way around.
Which way up does this box go?
SEE ALSO each way, one-way, three-way, two-way
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
bothoppositeright…
verb + way
goleadpoint…
phrases
the… way aroundthe… way roundthe… way up…
for entering/leaving
the way in/out
They escaped out the back way.
SEE ALSO companionway
distance/time
10 singular (also North American English, informal ways) a distance or period of time between two points A little way up on the left is the Museum of Modern Art.
We had to go a long way before we found a place to eat.
September was a long way off.
You came all this way to see us?
(figurative) The area's wine industry still has a way to go to full maturity.
(North American English, informal) We still have a ways to go.
It's quite a way from my house to the shops.
Your birthday is still some way off.
Collocations
adjective
longlittleshort…
verb + way
comego
preposition
way fromway to
phrases
all the waythe whole waythe whole way through…
area
11 singular (informal) an area, a part of a country, etc. over/down… way I think he lives somewhere over Greenwich way.
down your/my way I'll stop by and see you next time I'm down your way.
aspect
12 countable a particular aspect of something SYNONYM respect
I have changed in every way.
It's been quite a day, one way and another (= for several reasons).
They're alike in more ways than one.
They're different in every way.
Can I help you in any way?
condition/state
13 singular a particular condition or state in a… way The economy's in a bad way.
I don't know how we're going to manage, the way things are.