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Synonyms

ways

1 American  
[weyz] / weɪz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

  1. way.

-ways 2 American  

  1. a suffix appearing in native English adverbs.

    always; sideways.
-ways British  

suffix

  1. 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.

As return-to-office expectations for employees ramp up, “Less flexibility means fewer ways to offset rising costs.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Actress-turned-talk show host Drew Barrymoreis parting ways with her historical Westchester retreat after putting the sprawling property on the market for $4.99 million—just two years after she bought it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

When asked if support could go beyond people who receive benefits, Reeves said: "We're looking at ways in which we can support people based on their household income."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Comedy and clowning are ways Zaalan has connected with their homeland after the Syrian revolution.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

And her words have made me realize it goes both ways.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.