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American
[meth-uhd] / ˈmɛθ əd /
noun
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methods
plural
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a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, especially in accordance with a definite plan.
There are three possible methods of repairing this motor.
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a manner or mode of procedure, especially an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction, inquiry, investigation, experiment, presentation, etc..
the empirical method of inquiry.
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order or system in doing anything.
to work with method.
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orderly or systematic arrangement, sequence, or the like.
- Synonyms:
- disposition
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Also called Stanislavski Method. Also called Stanislavski System. the Method. a theory and technique of acting in which the performer identifies with the character to be portrayed and renders the part in a naturalistic, nondeclamatory, and highly individualized manner.
adjective
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(usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or employing the Method.
a Method actor;
Method acting.
method 1 British
/ ˈmɛθəd /
noun
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a way of proceeding or doing something, esp a systematic or regular one
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orderliness of thought, action, etc
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(often plural) the techniques or arrangement of work for a particular field or subject
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Leisure:Bell-ringing any of several traditional sets of changes See major minor
"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
Method 2 British
/ ˈmɛθəd /
noun
-
(sometimes not capital)
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a technique of acting based on the theories of Stanislavsky, in which the actor bases his role on the inner motivation of the character he plays
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( as modifier )
a Method actor
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"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
Synonym Usage
Method, mode, way imply a manner in which a thing is done or in which it happens. Method refers to a settled kind of procedure, usually according to a definite, established, logical, or systematic plan: the open-hearth method of making steel; one method of solving a problem. Mode is a more formal word that implies a customary or characteristic fashion of doing something: Kangaroos have a peculiar mode of carrying their young. Way, a word in popular use for the general idea, is equivalent to various more specific words: someone's way (manner) of walking; the best way (method) of rapid calculating; the way (mode) of holding a pen.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of method
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English: “medical procedure,” Latin methodus, from Greek méthodos “systematic course,” equivalent to met- meta- + hodós “way, road”
Explanation
There's a certain way of doing things. A systematic, logical process for accomplishing a task. And it's called a method. There are methods of payment, production methods, and even "method acting." If someone asks if there's a "method to your madness," she wants to make sure there's some kind of plan behind all the crazy stuff you're doing. If you've thought it through and have organized the next steps, go ahead and tell them to buzz off, it's just your method of getting things done.
Keep Reading on Vocabulary.comVocabulary lists containing method
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
method Method methods
The researchers showed that their method preserves the same computational hardness criteria associated with RCS, meaning the problem remains extremely difficult for classical computers.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026
After making those corrections, the team developed a new method for reconstructing the glacier's internal ice in three dimensions using Bayesian statistics.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority did not dispute that assessment but defended its method for counting an area “unique because of the vast, often desolate terrain.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Certificates of origin allow farmers to sell at a premium, but they come with strict regulations governing the location and method of production.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
I hurried down the street to the bookseller one wintry afternoon, bought a whole new set of ledgers, and started in to impose method on madness.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Then came paper towels, Method cleaner, dish soap, lime sparkling water and grapefruit-scented antibacterial wipes.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
So was “Who: The A Method for Hiring,” by Geoff Smart and Randy Street of leadership advisory firm ghSmart.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
The RZA and Method Man are also movie stars.
From Salon ● May 31, 2026
Grant was not a performing member of the Wu-Tang Clan, which included RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man and others.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026
My teachers are all very knowledgeable about the Method.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
The researchers found that many leading classical simulation methods would face prohibitive runtimes when attempting the same task.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026
The quantum computation was completed in about 15 minutes, while leading classical computing methods would require an impractical amount of time to perform the same task.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026
These methods are quite good at finding gigantic planets and planets that orbit incredibly close to their host stars — in other words, planets nothing like Earth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Early this year, the agency introduced new methods to try to mitigate those issues, tweaking its model that helps the agency account for brand-new businesses and businesses that have just closed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
The material will help guide educators in finding methods to incorporate music with other subjects in a way that is inherently beneficial to teachers and students rather than a hindrance.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.