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Definition of byway

byway

/ˈbaɪ.weɪ/
by · way
Plural:byways
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byway Lexical Profile

byway Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A minor, secondary, or less-traveled road or path, especially in a rural area.

Example

"We avoided the congested interstate and took a scenic country byway through the valley."

2

An obscure, peripheral, or little-known aspect of a subject or field of study.

Example

"Her latest book explores the fascinating byways of nineteenth-century botanical illustration."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for byway

• Nearby Words

byroad
bystander
byte
byway
byword
byzantine
byzantium

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as biwei, from the prefix by- ('secondary, side') and way ('road, path'), modelled in contrast to highway.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Byway. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/byway
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