method
[noun]
Synonyms:
- manner, approach, mode, modus operandi, procedure, process, routine, style, system, technique, way
- orderliness, order, organization, pattern, planning, purpose, regularity, system

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Related Words: design, plan, schema, scheme, form, style, course, line, modus operandi, practice, procedure, process, routine, wrinkle

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English Thesaurus: method, way, means, approach, technique, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

meth‧od S1 W1 AC /ˈmeθəd/ noun
[Word Family: noun: method, methodology; adjective: methodical, methodological; adverb: methodically]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: methodus, from Greek methodos, from meta- ( ⇒ meta-) + hodos 'way']

1. [countable] a planned way of doing something, especially one that a lot of people know about and use:
traditional teaching methods
I think we should try again using a different method.
method of/for (doing) something
Today’s methods of birth control make it possible for a couple to choose whether or not to have a child.
effective methods for the storage and retrieval of information

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In everyday English, people usually say a way of doing something rather than a method of doing something:
a secure way of storing information

2. [uncountable] formal a well-organized and well-planned way of doing something:
There’s no method in the way they do their accounts.

3. there’s method in/to sb’s madness used to say that even though someone seems to be behaving strangely, there is a sensible reason for what they are doing

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

method
noun
ADJ. effective, efficient, good, practical, reliable Which method is the most effective?
simple | common, conventional, principal, traditional, usual | new | alternative, other | different, various | unorthodox, unusual | farming, research, scientific, teaching, working ~s modern farming methods
VERB + METHOD adopt, employ, follow, use the method adopted by the party for the selection of its candidates
develop, devise, work out | change, improve
METHOD + VERB involve sth This method involves cutting a very thin slice from the object.
work How does this method work?
PREP. ~ for an alternative method for resolving disputes
~ of This is the best method of settling such arguments.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

method

use a method (also employ a method formal)
Which payment method do you use when travelling?
adopt a method (=start using a new method)
Quite a few companies adopted Japanese business methods.
devise a method (=invent a method)
Scientists have devised a method of recycling contaminated oil.
outline a method (=describe a method in a few words)
This leaflet outlines the methods that are available to you.
effective/efficient (=giving the result you want)
Some methods are more effective than others.
reliable (=likely to give the result you want)
We need a more reliable method of predicting earthquakes.
suitable
No single method is suitable for all occasions.
a teaching method
Neill had considerable influence over modern teaching methods.
a farming method
Farming methods have changed a lot over the last 100 years.
the usual method
The usual method of investing in a company is by buying shares in it.
the traditional method (=the usual method)
Farmers are being encouraged to return to more traditional methods of farming.
modern methods (=methods used now, but not in the past)
Modern methods of solving crime depend a lot on forensic evidence.
the scientific method (=the usual way of finding out information in science, which involves testing ideas in experiments)
It is sometimes difficult to apply the scientific method to subjects such as sociology or psychology.
an alternative method (=a method that is different than the usual one)
Try to use alternative methods of transport, such as cycling or taking the bus.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

method
noun
1.
BAD: We'll have to find new methods of amusing ourselves.
GOOD: We'll have to find new ways of amusing ourselves.

Usage Note:
Method (of/for doing sth ) is used mainly in technical styles: 'Farming methods have undergone many changes in recent years.' 'The research project aims to develop new methods for trapping solar energy.'
In non-technical styles, use way (of doing/to do sth ): 'There are several ways of answering the question.' 'The best way to contact him is by fax.'

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2.
BAD: Some companies are taking new methods for coping with environmental problems.
GOOD: Some companies are adopting new methods for coping with environmental problems.

Usage Note:
adopt a method : 'This new method of treating the disease has been widely adopted.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

method a way of doing something, especially one that is well known and often used:
You can choose whichever method of payment you prefer.
an environmentally friendly method for treating household waste
way a set of actions that you use in order to do something. Way is more informal than method and is used more often in everyday English:
What’s the best way to remove wine stains?
a new way of treating the disease
There are lots of ways of cooking mushrooms.
means something that you use to do something or achieve something:
Their main means of transport is their car.
E-mail is often the most convenient means of communication.
He looked around for a means of escape.
Education and training are the most efficient means of improving the nation’s economy.
approach a way of dealing with a particular problem or situation, especially a way that has been carefully thought about or planned:
Today’s approach to raising children is very different from 40 years ago.
I think we need to try a different approach.
technique a particular way of doing something, for which you need a skill that has to be learned and practised:
tips on how to improve your exam technique
More patients are surviving thanks to improved surgical techniques.
tactics methods that you use in order to achieve what you want, especially in a game or competition:
There were complaints about police tactics used to clear demonstrators.
The team was discussing tactics for the game.
strategy a set of carefully planned methods for achieving something that is difficult and may take a long time:
our sales strategy
a strategy to reduce the level of teenage smoking
mode formal a particular way of doing something:
For him, painting is just another mode of expression.
You can choose between several different modes of operation.
the most efficient mode of transportation
Withdrawing a child from class is still the preferred mode of providing extra help to that child.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

way something you can do in order to achieve what you want or deal with a problem:
Visiting a country is a great way to learn a language.
a good way to lose weight
method a way of doing something, especially one that a lot of people know about and use:
They still use traditional methods of farming.
modern teaching methods
Different research methods are used to gather data.
approach a general way of dealing with a particular problem or situation, especially a way that has been carefully thought about:
We need a whole new approach to environmental issues.
There will be considerable advantages to adopting this approach.
technique a way of doing something for which you need a skill that must be learned and practised:
I went to a class to learn relaxation techniques.
new surgical techniques
techniques for improving staff performance
strategy a carefully planned way to achieve something difficult or complicated that may take a long time:
They met to discuss the company’s business strategy.
the government’s long-term strategy for reducing crime
route a way from one place to another that people use regularly or that is shown on a map:
There are two routes we could take but this is the quickest one.
the overland trade route between Europe and China
directions instructions on how to get to a place:
Let’s stop and ask someone for directions.
If you follow these directions you’ll have no problem finding the house.
short cut a way of getting somewhere that is shorter than the usual way:
Let’s take a short cut across the field.
Taxi-drivers know all the short cuts.
how to get to ... especially spoken used especially when you ask someone to tell you which is the right way:
Can you tell me how to get to Grand Central Station?
It was getting dark and I wasn’t sure how to get home.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲