n.

1. how something is done or how it happens;
   manner, mode, style, fashion
   
   • her dignified manner
   • his rapid manner of talking
   • their nomadic mode of existence
   • in the characteristic New York style
   • a lonely way of life
   • in an abrasive fashion
2. how a result is obtained or an end is achieved;
   means, agency
   
   • a means of control
   • an example is the best agency of instruction
   • the true way to success
3. a journey or passage
   
   • they are on the way
4. the condition of things generally
   
   • that's the way it is
   • I felt the same way
5. a course of conduct;
   path, way of life
   
   • the path of virtue
   • we went our separate ways
   • our paths in life led us apart
   • genius usually follows a revolutionary path
6. any artifact consisting of a road or path affording passage from one place to another
   
   • he said he was looking for the way out
7. a line leading to a place or point;
   direction
   
   • he looked the other direction
   • didn't know the way home
8. the property of distance in general
   
   • it's a long way to Moscow
   • he went a long ways
9. doing as one pleases or chooses
   
   • if I had my way
10. a general category of things; used in the expression `in the way of'
    
    • they didn't have much in the way of clothing
11. space for movement;
    room, elbow room
    
    • room to pass
    • make way for
    • hardly enough elbow room to turn around
12. a portion of something divided into shares
    
    • the split the loot three ways

adv.

1. to a great degree or by a great distance; very much (`right smart' is regional in the United States);
   right smart
   
   • way over budget
   • way off base
   • the other side of the hill is right smart steeper than the side we are on