1 [count] a : how someone or something does something : how someone or something behaves, appears, feels, etc. — usually singular ▪ I like the way she looks/dresses/laughs. [=I like her appearance/clothing/laugh] ▪ The way he treats his mother is so sweet. ▪ The machine isn't working the way it's supposed to. ▪ It's strange the way things seem to happen for a reason. ▪ Do you really think that way about them? [=is that really your opinion of them?] ▪ The steak was rare, just the way I like it. ▪ Well, Your Honor, it happened this way. [=this is what happened] — often followed by to + verb ▪ That's no way to talk to your father. [=you should not talk to your father using those words, that tone of voice, etc.] ▪ There is no easy way to say this: you have to leave. — often used with in ▪ She explains things in a way that children can understand. ▪ He spoke in a calm and gentle way. [=manner] ▪ I said that she was quirky, but I meant it in a good/positive way. ▪ In a strange way, I've always known I would go back there. ▪ I try to be nice to everyone, and in the same way, I expect everyone to be nice to me. ▪ He wants to win in a big way. [=very much] ▪ In a small way [=to a small extent or degree], the experience helped me understand what it's like to be homeless. ▪ Their story is a tragedy in more ways than one. [=it is a tragedy for more than one reason] ▪ The way things are going [=if things continue to happen like this], I may lose my job. ▪ We were disappointed when we lost, but that's the way it/life goes. [=it is a fact that bad or disappointing things happen sometimes] ▪ Let's stop here. That/This way [=by doing that/this] we can look at the map before we get off the highway.
b : a method or system that can be used to do something
▪ We'll try doing it your way first. ▪ Let me explain it this way. ▪ What are some (of the) ways that you deal with stress? ▪ You can pay for your purchase in one/either of two ways: by cash or by credit card. — often followed by to + verb ▪ I've tried lots of different ways to lose weight. ▪ That is a good way to look at the problem. ▪ There's no way to know what will happen next. — often + of ▪ There's no way of knowing what will happen. ▪ He uses art as a way of expressing his feelings. ▪ You have a funny way of showing that you like her. ▪ This gift is my way of saying thank you for all of your help. ▪ She will become famous one way or another—if not by modeling, then by acting or singing. ▪ One way or another, it's going to happen. ▪ For months, he had been trying to find a way into/to her heart. [=to make her love him] ▪ Where there's a will, there's a way. [=if you have the desire and determination to do something, you can find a method for accomplishing it] 2 [count] : a person's usual habits, actions, qualities, etc.
▪ He has a charming way about him. [=he is charming; he behaves/talks in a charming way] ▪ Everyone is special in his or her own way. [=everyone has qualities that make him or her special] ▪ It is not his way to give up easily. [=he does not give up easily] ▪ She is familiar with Western ways. = She is familiar with the ways of Westerners. [=the typical habits, behaviors, etc., of people who live in the West] ▪ He is becoming older and more set in his ways. [=more unwilling to change his habits, behaviors, opinions, etc.] 3 [count] a : the series of roads, paths, etc., that can be used to go from one place to another — usually singular ▪ He asked the way to the museum. ▪ What's the quickest way to the library? ▪ We took the long way home. — often used figuratively to refer to a series of actions, procedures, etc., that can be used to achieve something ▪ One way around the problem of poor sales is to lower prices. ▪ He is a Broadway actor looking for a way into the movie industry. ▪ They smoothed the way for an end to the dispute. [=they made an end to the dispute easier and more likely]
b : a road, path, etc. — usually singular ▪ We could not find the way that leads to the waterfall. ▪ The explorers hacked a way through the jungle. ▪ They live across the way from us. = (Brit) They live over the way from us. [=they live across from us on the other side of the street] ▪ There is another jewelry store across the way. — often used in names ▪ He lives at 121 Village Way.
c : a door, opening, etc., that is used for going into or out of a place
▪ Which door is the way in? ▪ The back way was blocked. ▪ This door is the only way out of the room. — often used figuratively ▪ We're in trouble, and there is no (clear/simple) way out. [=no clear/simple way to get out of trouble] ▪ They're trying to take the easy way out. [=trying to find an easy way to avoid having to do something difficult] ◊In British English a door or passage that leads outside or to an exit door is often marked Way Out, while in U.S. English it is marked Exit. 4 [count] a : the route along which someone or something is moving or intends to move : the area in front of a moving person or thing
▪ A tree had fallen and was blocking our way. ▪ She used a flashlight to light her way to the shed. ▪ Please move—you're in my/the way. [=you are blocking my path] ▪ Get out of my/the way! ▪ He asked the children to stay/keep out of his way while he made dinner. ▪ “Can you give me a ride to the library if it's not out of your way?” [=if you do not have to take another route in order to do it] “Sure, I can give you a ride. The library is on my/the way home.” [=I pass the library when I take my usual route home] ▪ I go past it on my way home. — see also in the way, on the way, out of the way (below)
b — used with her, his, their, its, your, and our to describe someone or something that is moving forward, going somewhere, etc. ▪ Paramedics pushed their way through the crowd. ▪ The snail slowly inched its way toward the water. ▪ The river winds/snakes its way through the valley. ▪ He tried to buy his way into the prestigious college. [=he tried to use money to get himself accepted as a student at the college] ▪ She managed to talk her way past the guard. [=she was able to convince the guard to let her pass] 5 [count] a : a specified or indicated direction
▪ Face this way so I can take your picture. ▪ Try turning the key the other way. ▪ Which way should we go, left or right? ▪ They went that way. ▪ Look both ways before crossing the street. ▪ The exit is this way, ladies and gentlemen. ▪ She is coming/heading back this way. [=towards us] ▪ The rabbit ran this way and that [=in many different directions], trying not to get caught.
b — used with her, his, their, its, your, and our to say that someone or something is moving toward or coming to a particular person or thing ▪ A storm is heading our/their way. [=towards us/them] ▪ A tax rebate may be coming your way. [=may be sent to you] ▪ A streak of bad luck had come his way. [=he was experiencing some bad luck] 6 [singular] : a distance
▪ They live a short way down the road. [=a short distance from here on the same road] ▪ He grew up a long way from here. [=far from here] ▪ He talked the whole/entire way home. [=throughout the entire journey home] — often used figuratively ▪ If you want to run for the Senate, we'll support you every inch/step of the way. [=throughout the entire process] ▪ He still has a way to go [=a long time to wait] before the cast on his foot can be removed. — see also all the way (below), ways 7 [singular] informal : the area or region where someone lives
▪ The weather has been rainy (out) our way. [=out where we live] ▪ I'll visit when I'm down your way again. ▪ They live out California way. [=in or near California] 8 [count] a : a particular part of something that is being thought about or discussed — used with in ▪ The new computer is superior to the other one in every way. [=it is completely superior; all parts of it are superior] ▪ In many ways, their stories are the same. [=their stories are the same to a great degree; many parts of their stories are the same] ▪ In some ways the movie is brilliant, but in other ways it is just horrible. ▪ Her statement is true, in a way. [=it is true to some extent; it is partly true] ▪ In no way am I like my father. [=I am not at all like him; no part of me is like him]
b : a manner of thinking about or considering something
▪ The punishment was severe, but in a way it was appropriate. [=it was appropriate when you think about it from a certain point of view] ▪ I started looking at the problem in a different way than I had before. ▪ To my way of thinking [=in my opinion], this is the best strategy. = The way I see it, this is the best strategy. 9 [singular] : the situation that exists
▪ People are dying of hunger, and it doesn't have to be that way. [=the situation can be changed] ▪ Business is good, and we are doing everything we can to keep it that way. ▪ There's nothing we can do to help them. That's just the way things are. 10 [count] : one of usually two possible decisions, actions, or results
▪ We thought she would vote against the bill, but surprisingly she voted/went the other way. [=she voted for the bill] ▪ I can't see how the election could have gone any other way. [=how it could have had a different result] ▪ I'm not sure if I will take the bus or train, but either way [=whether I take the bus or the train] I will be there tonight. ▪ It's all right with me either way. [=both possibilities are acceptable to me] ▪ You can have either lower taxes or better-funded public programs; you can't have it both ways. ▪ He wants it both ways. ▪ Yes or no? Give me an answer one way or the other. ▪ I don't have an opinion one way or the other. — see also go either way (below) 11 [count] : one of a specified number of usually equal parts into which something (such as an amount of money) is divided
▪ The money was divided three ways. [=it was divided into three amounts]