a ways
Some distance; not right here, but not named in miles.
Also called a ways off, a long ways.
Updated September 21, 2026
a ways pronunciation
/uh WAYZ/
Meaning
An informal measure of how far. "Down the road a ways" means farther along without getting picky about the number. "A ways off" means not close. Folks also say "a long ways" or "a little ways." You hear it all over rural America, and it sits natural in Southern and mountain talk.
How folks use it
- “The store is down the road a ways.”
- “Their place is still a ways off from here.”
Origin and etymology
American informal English turned "way" into plural-looking "ways" for distance. Dictionaries mark it casual. It shows up often in rural and Southern speech for an unnamed stretch of road or ground.
Frequently asked questions
How far is "a ways"?
No fixed number. It means some distance, often enough that you would not call it next door.