Phrase guide

have a way with

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be skilled, adept, or graceful with or at (something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • She has a way with animals, and they seem instinctively to trust her.
  • to have a way with words

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 對...... 頗有一手 /对...... 颇有一手 (duì... pō yǒuyīshǒu) — be skilled
  • Finnish: olla taitava jossakin — be skilled
  • French: savoir y faire — be skilled
  • German: ein Händchen haben (für etwas) — be skilled
  • Polish: być za pan brat — be skilled
  • Polish: mieć rękę — be skilled
  • Spanish: tener [una] habilidad con / para — be skilled
  • Spanish: ser hábil con / para — be skilled
  • Spanish: tener facilidad para tratar con — be skilled