method

method — noun

1. A planned set of steps that you follow to achieve a particular result, often one

1.nounA2
Definition

A planned set of steps that you follow to achieve a particular result, often one that has been tried and tested.

Example

Sahil developed a new method for cleaning solar panels using only water and a soft brush.

method for + gerund

The Kim family uses an old method to preserve vegetables for the winter months.

method to + infinitive

Common collocations
  • develop a method
  • use a method
  • adopt a method
  • test a method
  • teaching method
  • research method
  • traditional method
  • new method
  • effective method
  • alternative method
Synonyms
  • technique

    emphasises practical skill and hands-on application; often used for arts, sports, crafts

  • approach

    broader than method; includes attitude and overall strategy, not just steps

  • procedure

    more formal than method; suggests an official, fixed set of steps in a workplace or institution

  • system

    suggests a set of rules or principles that work together as a whole

Antonyms
  • guesswork

    doing something without a plan or reliable steps

  • chaos

    complete lack of order or method

Grammar Patterns

method of + gerund

method for + gerund

method to + infinitive

method of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Countable in this sense — always use an article or quantifier ('a method', 'the method', 'several methods'). Common grammatical patterns: 'method of doing something', 'method for doing something', and 'method to do something' are all acceptable, though 'method of' and 'method for' are more frequent in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

I need to find method to solve this problem.
I need to find a method to solve this problem.
In this sense, 'method' is countable and requires a determiner.
This is the method how to cook rice.
This is a method for cooking rice.
'method' should not be followed directly by 'how'; use 'method for + gerund' or 'method of + gerund' instead.

2. The quality of doing things in an organised, careful way, following a clear plan

2.nounB2
Definition

The quality of doing things in an organised, careful way, following a clear plan rather than acting randomly.

Example

There is a clear method to how Manuela organises her team's weekly schedule.

there is method to + wh-clause

Critics said there was little method in the government's approach to education reform.

little method in + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • method in something
  • method to something
  • with method
  • without method
  • proper method
  • little method
  • clear method
Synonyms
  • orderliness

    direct synonym, same register, emphasises neat arrangement

  • organisation

    broader term; can refer to the act of arranging or the resulting structure

  • system

    suggests an established structure or routine that creates order

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

there is method in/to + noun phrase

with method

without method

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense — do not use 'a method' when referring to the quality of being organised. Frequently appears in the fixed expression 'there is method in/to something' (or the idiom 'there is method in somebody's madness').

Common Mistakes

There is a method in his madness.
There is method in his madness.
In this idiom, 'method' is uncountable and is used without an article.
Her method surprised me.' (ambiguous — may be read as sense 1)
The method in her planning surprised me.
Adding 'in her planning' clarifies you mean the quality of organisation, not a specific technique.

3. A style of acting in which the performer draws on their own memories, emotions,

3.nounC1
Definition

A style of acting in which the performer draws on their own memories, emotions, and experiences to feel and behave like the character they are playing, rather than simply performing lines and actions from the outside.

Example

Aoi spent three months in a forest preparing for her role, using the Method to become the character.

the Method (capitalised) as acting technique

Many famous actors, including Gabriel, trained in Method acting at the same drama school in New York.

Common collocations
  • the Method
  • Method acting
  • Method actor
  • study the Method
  • train in Method acting
  • Method performance
  • Method approach
Synonyms
  • the Stanislavski system

    the original acting system developed by Konstantin Stanislavski on which Method acting is based

  • the Method

    shorter form, capitalised, referring to the same specific acting approach

Antonyms
  • classical acting

    an acting style that emphasises external technique, voice, and movement rather than emotional recall

Grammar Patterns

the Method

Method acting

Method actor

Usage Note

Often capitalised as 'the Method' when referring to the specific Stanislavski-based acting technique. Use 'a Method actor' (with capital M) for someone who practices this style. Not to be confused with general 'acting method' (any acting technique) — the capitalised form distinguishes the specific school.

Common Mistakes

He used method acting to learn English faster.
He used a method to learn English faster.
'Method acting' is a specific acting technique, not a general learning strategy.
I studied method acting in my cooking class.
I studied the Method at a drama school.
'Method acting' is specific to theatre and film performance.
Idioms

there is method in somebody's madness

idiom

There is a sensible reason behind someone's apparently strange or foolish behaviour; the person's actions are more rational than they seem at first.

At first, Kian seemed to be writing random numbers, but there was method in his madness — each number later became a chapter heading.

My grandmother's habit of saving every used envelope seemed odd, but there was method in her madness; she used them for art projects with the children next door.

there’s (a) method in somebody’s madness

idiom

Someone's strange or crazy actions actually have a logical reason behind them.

Maya's messy desk seemed chaotic, but there was method in her madness.

Don't judge his unusual teaching style; there's method in his madness.

Word family

  • methodical
    adjectiveB2
  • methodically
    adverbB2
  • methodology
    nounC1
  • methodological
    adjectiveC1
  • method actor
    nounC1
  • method acting
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words describe how something is done, but they differ in scope and focus. 'Method' is the most general — it refers to a planned, step-by-step way of achieving a result ('a method for extracting DNA from fruit'). 'Technique' emphasises practical skill and execution, often in arts, sports, or crafts ('a new piano-playing technique'). 'Approach' is the broadest: it includes the overall attitude, philosophy, or strategy behind the actions ('a fresh approach to language teaching'). 'Procedure' is the most formal and rigid — it implies an official set of steps to follow in a workplace or institution ('the safety procedure for handling chemicals'). 'System' suggests an interconnected set of rules or principles that work together ('a filing system for medical records'). For everyday use, 'method' fits most situations; choose 'technique' for hands-on skills, 'approach' for strategy, 'procedure' for official protocols, and 'system' for structured frameworks.

method ↗technique ↗approach ↗procedure ↗system ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • method of doing something
  • method for doing something
  • there is method in/to
  • with method
  • without method

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'method' entered English in the 15th century from French 'méthode', which came from Latin 'methodus' (way of teaching or proceeding). The Latin term was borrowed from Greek 'methodos' (scientific inquiry, pursuit of knowledge), a compound of 'meta-' (after) and 'hodos' (way, road, journey). The Greek word originally meant 'a following after' or 'pursuit', and was used by philosophers like Plato and Aristotle to describe the systematic way of pursuing truth through logic and inquiry. Over time, the sense broadened from 'scientific inquiry' to any systematic way of doing something.