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method

method

∞ 2.2
A planned way of doing something, often in clear steps
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛθəd/
: método
  • The teacher explained a new method for solving complex math problems.
  • research methods
  • scientific method
  • teaching methods

What happens when you call a method on that object?

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Examples

  • OK, now what's the basic method for finding those solutions?

  • Using my proven methods, you vastly reduce your chance of a brain attack.

  • So this is the method for the proof.

  • It's just two different methods towards the same goal.

  • This application method is not the best one.

  • What method did they use?

  • So then I'll use my method to plug these together.

  • Scientists now hope the same method can be applied to teenagers.

  • I recommend using the ABCDE method to boost productivity.

  • The primary researcher employed a variety of methods to establish the dependability of the data.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

way
vsmethod
∞ 1.0

How someone does something or how it happens

is specifically an organized logical sequence of steps rather than a general manner
approach
vsmethod
∞ 3.4

A way of dealing with a problem or task

is narrower, focusing on orderly logical steps rather than broad plans
technique
vsmethod
879 3.3

A way of doing something you learn by practice to do well

is about structured logical steps rather than learned personal skill
procedure
vsmethod
688 3.7

A set of steps you follow in order to get a result

is more about an organized logical set of steps than just action sequence

Antonyms

438 3.1

A situation with no order where people are confused and cannot act normally

19 5.4

A lack of any predictable order or plan

Idioms

1 7.9

A clear plan behind actions that seem strange

Compounds

scientific method
  • Specialized
28 3.3

A careful way to test ideas by watching and doing experiments

method acting
  • Specialized
5 5.8

A way of performing where a person uses their own feelings and memories to become a character

A way a person uses to help students learn

statistical method
  • Specialized
3 3.5

A way of using numbers to find and show information from data

A way of teaching by asking students questions to make them think

A way to prevent pregnancy, often using a device like a condom or a medicine like a pill

experimental method
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A way to test scientific ideas by doing controlled tests and measuring results

The best way to do something when there are several options

1 5.6

A way to avoid pregnancy by not having sex during a woman's most fertile days

A natural way for a woman to find her fertile days by taking her temperature every morning

A natural way to avoid pregnancy by checking a woman's daily morning temperature to find days she can get pregnant

A way for couples to prepare for natural childbirth using exercises, breathing, and partner support

A way to prepare for natural birth using exercises, breathing, nutrition, relaxation, and the father's support

calendar method
  • Specialized
5.9

A method of avoiding pregnancy by counting days of the period to find fertile days

A way to avoid pregnancy by tracking a woman's periods and avoiding sex on days when she can get pregnant

A way of teaching that uses new ideas and activities to help students learn

7.4

A way to reduce an asset's value by a fixed percent each year, with larger reductions at first

A way to reduce an asset's remaining value by a fixed percentage each year

A way of choosing methods and ideas from different places to use what works best

A way to prepare for childbirth using breathing, relaxation, and focus techniques

A gentle way to help a baby be born in a quiet, dim room with immediate mother contact

Leboyer method
  • Specialized
8.4

A gentle way of giving birth in a quiet, dim room that lets the mother hold the baby right away

9.9

A way of teaching by asking questions to help students find answers themselves

9.9

A way to study how quantities change by looking at very small changes

7.0

A way to fit a line or curve to data by making squared errors as small as possible

Gram method
  • Specialized
4.4

A lab method to tell types of bacteria by staining them to see if they keep a purple dye

Gram's method
  • Specialized
4.4

A way to stain bacteria with purple dye to tell them apart

A way of trying to make people join a belief by pressuring them

Read method
  • Archaic
7.5

A way of natural childbirth that uses education and breathing to reduce pain and help you relax

A way of giving birth that treats labor as normal and uses teaching, breathing, and relaxation to reduce pain

relaxation method
  • Specialized
6.1

A way to solve many equations by starting with a guess and improving it until accurate

A way to reduce stress and become calm, often using breathing or muscle exercises

Orff method
  • Specialized
6.7

A way of teaching children music using singing, instruments, movement and play to help them be creative

ovulation method
  • Specialized
4.9

A way to find a woman's fertile days by watching when her body makes clear, slippery mucus around ovulation

A way to find a woman's fertile days by watching changes in cervical mucus

powder method
  • Specialized
7.0

A method for finding what a mineral or crystal is by using X-rays on a crushed sample

theorycel method
  • Neologism
9.9

A way based mainly on theory that does not work well in real life

simplex method
  • Specialized
8.1

A way to find the best solution for problems with many rules by moving between allowed choices

straight-line method
  • Specialized
6.3

A way to spread an asset's cost equally over its useful life

A way of charging the same cost each year for an asset that loses value

6.2

A way of teaching reading that has learners memorize whole printed words and their sounds

A way to avoid pregnancy by pulling the penis out before ejaculation

How Organized

protocol
  • Formal
309 5.6
procedure
688 3.7
method
∞ 2.2
approach
∞ 3.4
ad hoc
9 7.0

Surface Forms

method singular
methods plural

Etymology

Method comes from the Greek parts meta and hodos, where hodos means 'way' or 'path'. So a method is like a path you follow step by step, which is why it means a planned or systematic way of doing something.