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method

/ˈmɛθəd/
nounverb

METHOD meaning: a way of doing something; METHOD scores 12 points in Scrabble before any board bonuses.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Noun 4 meanings

  1. A process by which a task is completed; a way of doing something (followed by the adposition of, to or for before the purpose of the process).

    “If one method doesn't work, you should ask a friend to help you.”

  2. Systematicity, methodicalness, intentionality, order.

  3. A technique for acting based on the ideas articulated by Konstantin Stanislavski and focusing on authentically experiencing the inner life of the character being portrayed.

  4. A subroutine or function belonging to a class or object.

Verb 2 meanings

  1. To apply a method to.

  2. To apply particular treatment methods to (a mold).

    “The company employs extensive use of 3D modelling combined with solidification simulation to ensure that critical castings are properly methoded.”

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle French methode, from Latin methodus, from Ancient Greek μέθοδος (méthodos). By surface analysis, met- + -hod. See also -ode and hodo-.

A method is a way to carry out a task, often a planned or orderly one. The word also has specialist meanings in acting and computing, but its everyday sense is simple: a process or technique. On a rack, METHOD offers a solid score without relying on a premium square, and its letter pattern has a couple of unusual twists.

METHOD at a glance

  • METHOD has six letters: M, E, T, H, O and D.
  • Its Scrabble tile values total 12 points before board premiums.
  • MOTHED is its sole listed anagram.
  • METHOS is its only one-letter neighbor.

How the 12-point score is built

METHOD scores 12 points from its tiles: M is worth 3, E is 1, T is 1, H is 4, O is 1 and D is 2. The H contributes the most, while M comes next. Together, those two tiles make up 7 of the word’s 12 points, so placing either on a letter premium has more impact than boosting E, T or O.

The ordinary meaning is a process or technique for completing a task. You might follow a method for solving a puzzle or use a method to organize a project. The word can also mean systematic order. In acting, “the Method” refers to an approach associated with Konstantin Stanislavski that focuses on experiencing a character’s inner life; in computing, a method is a function belonging to a class or object.

A useful scoring rule of thumb: look for a way to put H on a bonus square, but do not sacrifice a strong board position just to multiply one tile. The 12-point total is the base score; the board can change the result.

The meaning, anagram and unusual neighbor

The METHOD meaning is familiar, but its letter pattern is less ordinary. MOTHED is the only anagram recorded, and it is not a common everyday substitute for METHOD. METHOS is the only word one letter away, changing D to S while keeping the other five letters in place.

That ending is a small clue to how the word sits among six-letter entries: 5% start with M, while 11% end with D. Those proportions describe the wider six-letter pool, not the odds of drawing METHOD. For a word-game player, the expert caution is not to mistake a tidy letter match for an easy play: the anagram and neighbor are both unusual forms.

The definition also does not settle acceptance in every game. Word lists differ, so check your game’s dictionary when legality matters. For more options, browse [[/words/6-letter-words/]] or narrow the search to [[/words/6-letter-words/starts-with-m/]] and [[/words/6-letter-words/ends-with-d/]].

Rhymes with method

All rhymes
  • SHOD8
  • ROUGHSHOD17
  • SLIPSHOD14
  • EPHOD11
  • UNSHOD10
  • RESHOD10
  • HORSESHOD16
  • MICROMETHOD21
  • MISSHOD13

One letter away

Change one letter, keep the rest
  • METHOS11

Questions people ask

Which letters contribute most to METHOD’s Scrabble score?
The H and M contribute most to METHOD’s tile score. H is worth 4 points and M is worth 3, while E, T and O are each worth 1 and D is worth 2. Together, the tiles total 12 points before board premiums.
Is MOTHED a common anagram of METHOD?
MOTHED is the only listed anagram of METHOD, but it is not an everyday alternative. Treat it as a rare word-game possibility rather than a familiar synonym; an anagram changes the letter order, not the meaning.
What does METHOD mean in acting?
In acting, Method refers to an approach based on ideas articulated by Konstantin Stanislavski. It focuses on authentically experiencing the inner life of the character being portrayed, rather than simply reproducing outward actions.

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