Finesentence logo

Byway: meaning, definitions and examples

🛤️
Add to dictionary

byway

 

[ ˈbaɪˌweɪ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

road

A side road or path, typically used for access to a particular place or for bypassing a main road.

Synonyms

lane, path, side road

Examples of usage

  • We took a byway through the countryside to avoid the traffic on the highway.
  • The byway led us to a hidden lake in the forest.
Context #2 | Noun

conversation

A digression or deviation from a main topic or activity.

Synonyms

deviation, digression, tangent

Examples of usage

  • Let's not go down that byway, and stick to discussing the main issue.
  • Her comments often lead us down interesting byways of thought.

Translations

Translations of the word "byway" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estrada secundária

🇮🇳 अप्रमुख मार्ग

🇩🇪 Nebenstraße

🇮🇩 jalan kecil

🇺🇦 бічна дорога

🇵🇱 droga boczna

🇯🇵 脇道（わきみち）

🇫🇷 route secondaire

🇪🇸 camino secundario

🇹🇷 yan yol

🇰🇷 지방도로

🇸🇦 طريق فرعي

🇨🇿 vedlejší silnice

🇸🇰 bočná cesta

🇨🇳 次要道路

🇸🇮 stranska cesta

🇮🇸 hliðargata

🇰🇿 жанама жол

🇬🇪 გვერდითი გზა

🇦🇿 yan yol

🇲🇽 camino secundario

Etymology

The word 'byway' originated in Middle English and is a combination of 'by' (near) and 'way' (road). It has been used since the 14th century to refer to a side road or path. Over time, its meaning expanded to include a digression from a main topic. Byways have been an essential part of transportation and exploration, offering alternative routes and opportunities for discovery.

See also: anyway, multiway, way, wayfarer, wayfinding, waylay, waypoints, wayward.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,842 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.