path
A2Neutral (used in all registers)
Definition
Meaning
A track or way made by or for walking; a route or course along which something moves.
A course of action or way of thinking, life, or development; a sequence of steps in a computer directory structure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to both physical routes and metaphorical ones (e.g., career path). Less formal than 'route' for physical ways.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: more likely used for pedestrian ways in parks/nature. US: also common in computing contexts (file path).
Connotations
UK: often rustic, rural. US: neutral, can be technical.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English for physical footpaths.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
on the path to (success)path to (somewhere)path through (the woods)follow a pathVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lead someone down the garden path”
- “cross paths with someone”
- “on the path to recovery”
- “beat a path to someone's door”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical: 'career path', 'path to profitability'.
Academic
Abstract: 'path of least resistance', 'research path'.
Everyday
Physical: 'walking path', 'bike path'.
Technical
Computing: 'file system path', 'execution path'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sheep had pathed a track through the heather.
- We need to path out a new route for the ramblers.
American English
- The developers will path the new trail next spring.
- The software paths the data through the network.
adjective
British English
- The path lighting was inadequate.
- They discussed path maintenance costs.
American English
- The pathfinder role is crucial.
- We need a path-clearing crew after the storm.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We walked along a narrow path in the forest.
- The path to the beach is very steep.
- He chose a career path in engineering.
- Follow the path until you see the signpost.
- The scandal set her on a path to political ruin.
- The application cannot find the specified file path.
- Their research is forging a new path in renewable energy technology.
- The treaty offers a plausible path to disarmament.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a maths PATH: You take steps (like in a calculation) along a defined route.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'choose your own path'), PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION ALONG A PATH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not always 'тропа' (which implies a rustic footpath). Can be 'путь' (way/journey), 'маршрут' (route), or 'директория' (in computing).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'path' for large roads or highways (use 'road' or 'highway'). Confusing 'path' with 'patch' in speech.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'path' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It is occasionally used technically (e.g., in computing or trail-making) but is not common in everyday speech.
'Path' is typically for walking, often unpaved. 'Road' is for vehicles, usually paved. 'Way' is more general and abstract, meaning direction or method.
UK: /pɑːðz/. US: /pæðz/ or /pæθs/. The 'th' often becomes voiced (/ð/) before the 'z' sound.
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'the path to success', 'a spiritual path', 'path of destruction'.