ways

¹ American

[weyz] / weɪz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

way.

-ways ² American

a suffix appearing in native English adverbs.

always; sideways.

-ways British

suffix

indicating direction or manner

sideways

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ways¹

Middle English weyes, Old English weges, genitive singular of weg way ¹

Origin of -ways²

Middle English; see way ¹, -s ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ianni appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill at a hearing that revealed details about fake claims and stolen doctors’ identities.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Last week, Kennedy was confronted with one of his past statements during a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

Kennedy, who has seven scheduled appearances on Capitol Hill to discuss spending and policies, told members of the House Ways and Means Committee that HHS has delivered “historic wins.”

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

That includes a report by the inspector general’s office 15 years ago and one by the House Ways and Means Committee’s majority in 2020.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

“Drowning is number three on my Top Ten Ways I Don’t Want to Die list.”

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023