Mode: meaning, definitions and examples

This is often used to describe a particular form or type of something, especially in technical or scientific contexts.

• Please set the machine to 'sleep' mode.
• The game has a single-player mode.

Emphasizes a systematic or organized approach to doing something, often implying steps or procedures.

• Scientific method is crucial in experiments.
• She has an efficient method for organizing her tasks.

A general term for any manner, mode, or means of performing something. It is often used in everyday language.

• Is there a way to contact you?
• He always finds a way to make people laugh.

Refers to the method or instrument used to achieve something. It can also imply financial resources or tools.

• They needed to find means to solve the issue.
• The company uses various means of communication.

Used to refer to a way in which something is done or happens, often related to behavior or style.

• She spoke to the audience in a calm manner.
• His manner of addressing the crowd was very respectful.

Use this when discussing different systems or patterns in music and other fields, usually indicating a set of rules or a method of doing something.

• The Lydian mode is often used in jazz compositions.
• Switching to a different mode can help solve the problem.

Ideal for describing a series of notes ordered by pitch or when referring to the relative size or extent of something.

• She practiced her scales for the upcoming piano exam.
• The project was successful on a large scale.

This is suitable when talking about the tonal center in music, or in a more general sense, something crucial or important.

• The song is in the key of C major.
• Understanding the basics is key to mastering any skill.

Best used when referring to the character or quality of a musical composition defined by its key, or figuratively, the character or style of something.

• The tonality of the piece is quite melancholic.
• The brightness of the room changed the tonality of her paintings.

This word is typically used in statistical or mathematical contexts to refer to the value that appears most frequently in a data set.

• When analyzing our survey results, we found that the mode of responses was 'agree.'
• In this dataset, the mode is 7, as it appears more frequently than any other number.

This phrase is used in everyday language and discussions where the speaker wants to describe the value that appears most often without using technical or mathematical jargon.

• Among the choices, blue is the most common value.
• When looking at the preferences, the most common value seems to be vanilla ice cream.