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; 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.

Microsoft’s prescient 2019 initial investment in OpenAI came with an agreement that tied the two companies together in more than just financial ways.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

MIT Provost Anantha Chandrakasan said MIT is exploring ways to better help both students and professors start companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

As football clubs look to cash in on fans looking for more fashionable ways to support their clubs, you can expect to see more streetwear collaborations in the future.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

People need to figure out other ways to put their energy to other things that’s important.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Few of nature’s ways were mysteries to him.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

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