WordGarden.iomode
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈəʊd/
US
- /ˈmoʊd/
Meanings
Noun
a particular way, manner, or state in which something is done or happens
a device or software setting that changes how it operates
a type of scale pattern in music, such as Dorian or major
More meaningsFewer meanings
the value that occurs most often in a set of numbers or data
Beyond the definition
The word "mode" has several meanings, but they usually connect to the idea of a particular way something is done or a particular state something is in. In everyday English, we often use it for an operating setting or condition. For example, your phone may be in "silent mode," a camera may be in "portrait mode," or you may be in "work mode" when you are fully focused.
It is also common in more formal phrases such as "mode of transport" or "mode of communication," where it means a method or manner. In statistics, the mode is the value that appears most often in a group of numbers. There is also a fashion-related meaning, where "mode" can refer to a style or trend, but that use is less common in ordinary speech today. Across these uses, the word usually points to a specific way, setting, or form.
The word "mode" is very flexible, and the right meaning depends on the context. At its center, it refers to a particular way something is done, a particular form something takes, or a particular state a person or device is in. This basic idea shows up in everyday speech, technical language, and academic subjects.
In common use, "mode" often refers to a setting or condition. A phone can be in "silent mode," a computer can switch to "airplane mode," and a person can go into "study mode" or "survival mode." In these examples, the word suggests that something is working in a certain way for a certain purpose. It can also describe a method, especially in phrases like "mode of transport," "mode of payment," or "mode of communication."
In statistics, the mode is the value that appears most often in a set of data. For example, in the list 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, the mode is 5 because it appears more times than any other number. This meaning is common in school math and data work.
"Mode" also has some more specialized uses. In music, it can refer to a type of scale. In discussions of fashion or style, it can mean a popular style, though this use is less common in everyday modern English. The word comes from the Latin modus, meaning "measure" or "way," which fits its broad idea well. Whether you are talking about a device setting, a way of traveling, or a number that appears most often, "mode" points to a particular way, form, or condition.
Examples
- 1
Phone settings
Switch your phone to silent mode during the meeting.
- 2
Screen display
I use dark mode at night because bright screens hurt my eyes.
- 3
Camera settings
Switch the camera to portrait mode before you take the photo.
- 4
App access
The app has an offline mode, so you can still read on the plane.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Machine settings
The machine can run in automatic mode or manual mode.
- 6
Work focus
After the holiday, it took me a day to get back into work mode.
- Phraseget back into work mode
start focusing on work again
- 7
Crisis response
Since the baby got sick, we've been in survival mode all week.
- Phrasein survival mode
only dealing with the most basic or urgent things
- 8
Transportation
The train is the fastest mode of transport from the airport to downtown.
- Phrasemode of transport
way of traveling
- 9
Website updates
Our website is in maintenance mode until noon.
- Domainmaintenance mode
temporarily unavailable while a website or system is being updated
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- modenoun
Forms
- modespluralnoun