Language Research

way · noun

/weɪ/Full view

Word family

Nouns: causeway, freeway, highway, subway, thruway, way

Adjectives: halfway, one-way, out-of-the-way, two-way

Adverbs: halfway, midway, one-way

way (METHOD)

A2 C how you do something

Dictionary examples:

There are many ways of solving the problem.

That's not the way to do it - let me show you.

This method hasn't worked, so let's try your way.

Learner example:

I think it's the best way to relax. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

way (ROUTE)

A2 C the route you take to get from one place to another

Dictionary examples:

Do you know the way to the train station?

I've only been living in Chicago for a couple of weeks so I don't really know my way around yet.

We'll have to stop for gas on the way to the airport.

Can you find your own way out of the building?

The bus stopped for us to eat lunch, but within half an hour we were on our way way again.

The fastest way through town is by the old highway.

Many people have lost their way in the forest.

Somehow the dog found its way home.

Learner example:

The shortest way to get there is going along Sarmiento Avenue. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

by the way

A2 used when you say something new or on a different subject

Dictionary examples:

I think we've discussed everything we need to - by the way, what time is it?

Oh, by the way, my name's Julie.

Learner example:

By the way, I want to buy a raincoat for my brother. (Key English Test; A2; Farsi)

way (DIRECTION)

B1 C the direction in which something is facing or travels

Dictionary examples:

"Which way does the room face?" "North."

This bus is going the wrong way.

a one-way street

Which way up should this box be?

The numbers are the wrong way around - it should be 71, not 17.

Learner example:

Although he had told us he knew this address, he went [the] wrong way. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

way (DISTANCE)

B1 no plural a distance or a period of time

Dictionary examples:

We walked a long way yesterday.

Thanksgiving seems like it's a long way away/off.

Learner example:

I like this best because [it] is not a long way from home. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

no way

B1 used to tell someone that something is impossible

Dictionary examples:

I'm sorry, but there's no way we can help you.

No way will she agree to you leaving early.

Learner example:

Don't worry, there is no way I'm going to miss it! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

a/sb's way of life ()

B1 the manner in which a person lives

Dictionary example:

Sleeping in hotels three or four nights a week is not an ideal way of life.

Learner example:

He told me about his hobbies, his way of life and especially about his love [of] learning languages. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

either way

B1 used to talk about two possibilities where the result will be the same

Dictionary examples:

You can get there by train or bus - either way it'll take an hour.

He might have to resign or he might be given a desk job, but either way, his career is effectively over.

Learner example:

If that doesn't work, you can ask them to talk to your friends' parents so you could all go together. Either way, I know you will have lots of fun this summer. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

one way or another

B2 in some way that is not stated

Dictionary examples:

One way or another these bills have to be paid.

Everyone at the party was related in one way or another.

Learner example:

All of them made a big difference [to] our personal life and have affected it one way or another. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)

one way or the other

B2 in any way that is possible

Dictionary example:

We have to make a decision one way or the other about what needs to be done.

Learner example:

Even if we choose not to use computers personally, many of our transactions with society work through [a] computer system one way or the other. (First Certificate in English; B2; Korean)

the other way around

B2 happening in the opposite way

Dictionary example:

I thought the older people would be more offended than the young people, but it was the other way around.

Learner example:

They are controlling us and not the other way around. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

make your way

B2 to get to a place

Dictionary examples:

We slowly made our way down the river.

It's getting late - we should make our way home soon.

Learner example:

She made her way slowly to the waiting room and patiently waited for the train to arrive. (First Certificate in English; B2; Azerbaijani)

all the way

B2 the complete distance

Dictionary example:

They ran all the way to school.

Learner example:

I drove all the way to Bergen in only one day. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

in a way or in some/many ways

B2 used to say that you think something is partly true

Dictionary examples:

In a way, I would prefer it if they didn't come because it would mean extra work.

In some ways it would be better if we met on Monday rather than Wednesday.

He was a remarkable politician in many ways.

Learner example:

I think that many people would like [stores] to be open all the time, and it might be good in some ways. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

give way to sth

B2 when one thing or feeling changes to a different one

Dictionary example:

My excitement gave way to fear when I drove a car for the first time.

Learner example:

The feeling of anger they first had disappeared and gave way to a feeling of disappointment. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

way (MANNER)

C1 no plural the manner in which someone behaves or thinks, or in which something happens

Dictionary examples:

Don't be alarmed - it's just his way.

He looked at me in a sinister way.

It's amazing the way she manages to stay so calm.

The way he was shouting, you'd have thought he was badly hurt.

It's always the way - either I've got nothing to do or way too much.

Learner example:

To my way of thinking, despite all the problems I have mentioned, this company will suc[c]eed. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

in the same way

C1 similarly

Dictionary example:

In the same way, there are many citizens who feel unprotected by the police.

Learner example:

In the same way, grandmothers may be shocked when seeing their little children wearing extravagant clothes or really short skirts. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; French)

way (FREE SPACE)

C2 no plural the space needed for a particular movement or action

Dictionary examples:

"Sorry, am I in your way? I'll move."

If you don't move that vase out of the way, it might get broken.

Don't let your new friends get in the way of your studies.

I couldn't see the stage because there was a pillar in the way.

Please make way so the ambulance can get by.

Learner example:

As Mark Twain once said "Don't let school get in the way of your education." (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

make your way

C2 to be successful and make progress in your work

Dictionary example:

He managed to make his way in the film industry.

Learner example:

For each one of the famous sportsmen we re[cog]ni[z]e on television or in the newspapers, there are thousands of hopeful youngsters trying to make their way to the top. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

go out of your way to do sth

C2 to try very hard to do something pleasant for someone

Dictionary example:

He went out of his way to make us feel welcome.

get/have sth out of the way

C2 to finish a task or to get rid of something unpleasant

Dictionary example:

I'll go shopping when I've got this essay out of the way.

Learner example:

It was a joyful reunion and everybody was grateful to have all misunderstandings out of the way and to be one big family once more. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

in no way/not in any way

C1 not at all

Dictionary example:

This is in no way your fault.

Learner example:

This magazine will be loved by students as it will help them learn English in the best way and in no way will students find it boring. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

in a big way

C2 used to say that someone or something does something to a large degree

Dictionary example:

They celebrate birthdays in a big way.

Learner example:

Tourism helps Greece's national economy - which is not at its best - in a big way. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

by way of sth

C1 as a type of something

Dictionary example:

He sent me some flowers by way of apology.

Learner example:

The Academy however provided nothing whatsoever by way of entertainment, though with a group of interesting young people and a little imagination this should not be a pro[b]lem. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)

get/have your (own) way

C1 to get what you want, although it might upset other people

Dictionary example:

She always gets her own way in the end.

Learner example:

They are provided with what they desire, and [the] majority of them are used to getting their own way. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Thai)

be under way

C2 to be already happening

Dictionary example:

Building work is already under way.

Learner example:

Sociologists are well-aware of the fact and experiments are under way to counterbalance these disadvantages. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

give way

C2 If something gives way, it falls because it is not strong enough to support the weight on top of it.

Dictionary example:

Suddenly the ground gave way under me.

Learner example:

Fred's voice trailed off as he felt his legs give way beneath him. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

make way for sth

C2 to be replaced by someone or something

Dictionary example:

They knocked down the old houses to make way for a new hotel.

Learner example:

Local markets are broken down to make way for shopping malls, which sell items for the brand conscious population of today. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Hindi)

pave the way

C2 If something paves the way for something else, it makes the other thing possible.

Dictionary example:

Scientists hope that data from the probe will pave the way for a more detailed exploration of Mars.

Learner example:

Many celebrities engage actively in UN projects and pave the way for others to contribute. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Bulgarian)

(take) the easy way out

C1 to do what is easiest in a difficult situation

Dictionary example:

I know you don't approve of his working methods, but why not take the easy way out this time and agree to his request?

Learner example:

On the other hand you cannot survive without your pay-check and to be able to both make a car[ee]r and have the time to be green, sometimes you just have to take the easy way out. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)

learn sth the hard way

C2 to learn something by experiencing a lot of problems or difficulty

Dictionary example:

He doesn’t want to take my advice, so I guess he’ll have to learn the hard way.

Learner example:

If you don't know the past, you're liable to live through it again as instead of deriving the lessons from someone else's experiences, you'll have to learn them the hard way, by trial and error. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

thread your way through/between, etc.

C2 to move carefully through a crowded place, changing direction in order to avoid people or things

Dictionary example:

She threaded her way through the crowd.