Method Meaning
/ˈmɛθəd/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA process by which a task is completed; a way of doing something (followed by the adposition of, to or for before the purpose of the process).
nounSystematicity, methodicalness, intentionality, order
Sentence Examples
Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
Your method of teaching English is absurd.
Which method is the most effective?
CEFR Practice Quiz
To solve this math problem, I need a reliable ____ that always works.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist developed a new ____ for testing water purity that was much faster and more accurate than previous techniques.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *me Proto-Indo-European *meth₂? Ancient Greek μετᾰ́ (metắ) Ancient Greek μετα- (meta-) Proto-Indo-European *sed-der. Proto-Indo-European *sodós? Proto-Hellenic *hodós Ancient Greek ὁδός (hodós) Ancient Greek μέθοδος (méthodos)der. Latin methodusbor. Middle French methodebor. English method From Middle French methode, from Latin methodus, from Ancient Greek μέθοδος (méthodos). By surface analysis, met- + -hod. See also -ode and hodo-.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis […] interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable."
— 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter III, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
"Many insects probably use this strategy, which is a close analogy to crypsis in the visible world—camouflage and other methods for blending into one’s visual background."
— 2013 May-June, William E. Conner, “An Acoustic Arms Race”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, archived from the original on 17 Jul 2013, pages 206–7:
"Though this be madneſſe, / Yet there is Method in 't: […]"
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page 261, column 2:
"There's method in the universe.
We're lucky that things aren't worse."
— 1980 December 6, “Mousie Mousie Wildflower (personal advertisement)”, in Gay Community News, volume 8, number 20, page 14:
"In this case, the application of the famous method was a little shaky. To be fair, the director was dealing with a pretty stroppy cast."
— 1989, Kenneth Branagh, Beginning, London: Chatto & Windus, →ISBN, page 64:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
To solve this math problem, I need a reliable ____ that always works.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist developed a new ____ for testing water purity that was much faster and more accurate than previous techniques.