mode

A particular way of doing something or making something happen.

• Walking is my usual mode of transport.
• The study compared two modes of learning.
• They adopted a different mode of communication.

How to use it: mode of something (Cycling is a cheap mode of travel.)

Similar words: method, way

Common phrases: mode of transport, mode of communication, mode of operation

A particular type or form that something can have.

• The essay explores different modes of existence.
• Poetry became her preferred mode of expression.
• Light can travel in several modes through the fiber.

How to use it: mode of something (The book examines different modes of thought.)

Similar words: form, type

Common phrases: mode of existence, mode of expression, different modes

A set of musical notes arranged in a particular order, giving music a particular sound.

• This tune uses the Dorian mode.
• Different modes give melodies different moods.
• Can you play this mode on the guitar?

Similar words: scale

Common phrases: Dorian mode, musical mode, play a mode

The value that appears most often in a set of numbers or other information.

• The mode is seven.
• Find the mode of these numbers.
• This set has two modes because two values occur equally often.

How to use it: the mode of something (The mode of this data set is twelve.)

Common phrases: calculate the mode, mode of something

The style of clothes or behavior that is popular at a particular time.

• Her dress follows the latest mode.
• His hat was once in the mode.
• Paris influenced the modes of the period.

Similar words: fashion, style

Common phrases: latest mode, in the mode

A verb form showing whether something is a fact, wish, command, or possibility.

• This verb is in the conditional mode.
• The language has several verbal modes.
• The subjunctive mode can express a wish.

Similar words: mood

Common phrases: conditional mode, subjunctive mode, indicative mode