on (one's) way

1. 1. A road, path, or highway affording passage from one place to another.

   2. An opening affording passage: This door is the only way into the attic.

   3. Space to proceed: cleared the way for the parade.

   4. Opportunity to advance: opened the way to peace.

   5. A specific direction: He glanced my way.

   6. A participant. Often used in combination: a three-way conversation.

   7. An aspect, particular, or feature: resembles his father in many ways; in no way comparable.

   8. Nature or category: not much in the way of a plot.

2. 1. Space to proceed: cleared the way for the parade.

   2. Opportunity to advance: opened the way to peace.

   3. A specific direction: He glanced my way.

   4. A participant. Often used in combination: a three-way conversation.

   5. An aspect, particular, or feature: resembles his father in many ways; in no way comparable.

   6. Nature or category: not much in the way of a plot.

3. A course that is or may be used in going from one place to another: tried to find the shortest way home.

4. Progress or travel along a certain route or in a specific direction: on his way north.

5. A course of conduct or action: tried to take the easy way out.

6. A manner or method of doing: several ways of solving this problem; had no way to reach her.

7. A usual or habitual manner or mode of being, living, or acting: the American way of life.

8. An individual or personal manner of behaving, acting, or doing: Have it your own way.

9. also ways (wāz) (used with a sing. verb) Informal Distance: The travelers have come a long way. That village is a good ways off.

10. 1. A specific direction: He glanced my way.

    2. A participant. Often used in combination: a three-way conversation.

    3. An aspect, particular, or feature: resembles his father in many ways; in no way comparable.

    4. Nature or category: not much in the way of a plot.

11. 1. An aspect, particular, or feature: resembles his father in many ways; in no way comparable.

    2. Nature or category: not much in the way of a plot.

12. Freedom to do as one wishes: if I had my way.

13. An aptitude or facility: She certainly does have a way with words.

14. A state or condition: He is in a bad way financially.

15. Vicinity: Drop in when you're out our way.

16. A longitudinal strip on a surface that serves to guide a moving machine part. Often used in the plural.

17. ways (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Nautical The structure on which a ship is built and from which it slides when launched.

1. Informal By a great distance or to a great degree; far: way off base; way too expensive.

2. Slang Very; extremely: "Can they really make a car that's way cool?" (Fortune).

3. Informal From this place; away: Go way.

Synonyms: These nouns refer to paths leading from one place or point to another. Way is the least specific: "Many ways meet in one town" (Shakespeare). We made our way on foot. Show me the way home.
Route refers to a planned, well-established, or regularly traveled way: "Their one purpose of speed over the great ocean routes was achieved by perfect balance of spars and sails to the curving lines of the smooth black hull" (Samuel Eliot Morison).
Course suggests the path or channel taken by something that moves: "earth's diurnal course" (William Wordsworth).
Passage denotes a traversal over, across, or through something: The shortcut was a dark passage between the buildings.
Pass usually refers to a way affording passage around, over, or through a barrier: "They had reached one of those very narrow passes between two tall stones" (George Eliot).
An artery is a main route for the circulation of traffic into which local routes flow: An accident on the central artery backed up traffic for miles. See Also Synonyms at method.

Usage Note: Way has long been an intensifying adverb meaning "to a great degree," as in way over budget. This usage is both acceptable and common but has an informal ring. · Way is also used as a general intensifier, as in way cool and way depressing. This locution has expanded beyond its original range of younger speakers, but it is still regarded as slang. · In American English ways is often used as an equivalent of way in phrases such as a long ways to go. The usage is acceptable but is usually considered informal.