Way + adj.

[supada]

Dear teachers,

I'm curious about the way to speak 'way'+adjective. I can get the meaning of which when people phrase such as...

Way too many.
Way too easy.
Way too fast and etc.

What does 'way' literally mean or imply in such phrases?

Please help.

[2006]

Dear teachers,

I'm curious about the way to speak 'way'+adjective. I can get the meaning of which when people phrase such as...

Way too many.
Way too easy.
Way too fast and etc.

What does 'way' literally mean or imply in such phrases?

Please help.

1) here "way" means 'much', 'by far'

way too many = much too many = too many by far (all 3 mean 'not just a few too many')

way too easy = much too easy = too easy by far (all 3 mean 'not just a little too easy')

way too fast = much too fast = too fast by far (all 3 mean 'not just a little too fast')


2) "way" can also mean 'very'

way smart = very smart
way cool = very cool
way expensive = very expensive

[supada]

Thanks a lot. I get it. : )

[jlinger]

They are all way too slangy, and should be kept way away from.

[2006]

They are all way too slangy, and should be kept way away from.

I strongly disagree!
The examples under 2) are possibly mainly used by young people, but the 1) examples are long established in the English language.
Both constructions are found in the dictionary.

[jlinger]

Finding it in a dictionary ain't always the right way.

[supada]

Thank you for your replies.

Is it not proper to say this slang term? You have any specific situation to give me an idea when to use this word?

[jlinger]

There is nothing wrong with slang, in speech. The more of it you learn, the more you will be comfortable speaking English. It is way better to know this term than to wonder what it means.

I think the point is that you should recognize what is slang, and of the slang, what is inappropriate in "mixed company" (I mean, what you should not say in front of my mother). There is nothing inappropriate with "way" in any sense discussed here; my point is that it is "inelegant" - not wrong.

As "2006" pointed out, it's "in the dictionary" (as are a lot of downright vulgar terms), with an accepted usage defined. It is not wrong. And it won't offend my mother, either.

Go! 'Way with you! Enjoy this rich language! It's way too good not to!