via
A preposition used to indicate the route taken or the method/medium used to achieve a goal. It typically precedes a location passed through during travel or the specific channel used for communication or transportation.
Examples
3 of 5I'm flying to Tokyo via Dubai to save on the ticket cost.
I'm flying to Tokyo via Dubai to save on the ticket cost.
Formal documents should be submitted via the online portal no later than Friday.
Formal documents should be submitted via the online portal no later than Friday.
Just send me the photos via WhatsApp when you get a chance.
Just send me the photos via WhatsApp when you get a chance.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember 'via' is the Latin word for 'way' or 'road.' Think of a 'viaduct' (a bridge for a road) to help you remember it means 'the way through.'
Quick Quiz
The news spread quickly throughout the office ____ the grapevine.
Correct!
The correct answer is: via
Examples
I'm flying to Tokyo via Dubai to save on the ticket cost.
everydayI'm flying to Tokyo via Dubai to save on the ticket cost.
Formal documents should be submitted via the online portal no later than Friday.
formalFormal documents should be submitted via the online portal no later than Friday.
Just send me the photos via WhatsApp when you get a chance.
informalJust send me the photos via WhatsApp when you get a chance.
The researchers gathered the data via a double-blind clinical trial conducted over six months.
academicThe researchers gathered the data via a double-blind clinical trial conducted over six months.
The payment was processed via an electronic bank transfer this morning.
businessThe payment was processed via an electronic bank transfer this morning.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
via air mail
via air mail
via satellite
via satellite
via the grapevine
via the grapevine
Often Confused With
Vice versa means 'the other way around' or 'in reverse order,' whereas via refers to a route or method.
While similar, 'via' specifically emphasizes the path or intermediate stop, while 'by' often describes the agent or immediate tool.
Usage Notes
Though technically a preposition, 'via' is essential in technical, travel, and professional contexts to specify intermediate steps. It is increasingly common in digital contexts to describe the platform used for communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'via' when 'by' is more idiomatic for simple transport, such as saying 'via car' instead of 'by car.' Avoid using 'via' as a verb.
Memory Tip
Remember 'via' is the Latin word for 'way' or 'road.' Think of a 'viaduct' (a bridge for a road) to help you remember it means 'the way through.'
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'via,' meaning 'way, road, or path.'
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the UK and US, 'via' is frequently seen on public transport displays and international postage labels.
Quick Quiz
The news spread quickly throughout the office ____ the grapevine.
Correct!
The correct answer is: via
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
abmultant
C1To diversify or branch out extensively from a single origin into multiple complex channels, forms, or applications. It describes the process of systemic expansion where a core entity multiplies its variety or reach.
microdoccide
C1A specialized chemical substance or agent used to destroy or inhibit the growth of microscopic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses. It is primarily utilized in industrial, medical, and laboratory settings to ensure sterilization and prevent contamination.
circumminty
C1The specific micro-atmosphere or olfactory 'halo' of coolness and freshness that surrounds an aromatic source, particularly mint plants or mentholated substances. It describes the spatial reach of a refreshing scent within a localized environment.
micromortious
C1To calculate or estimate the minute probability of death associated with a specific action, typically measured in units representing a one-in-a-million chance. This verb is used to statistically assess the inherent danger of activities by quantifying potential mortality risks.
underpeline
C1To provide a strong foundational support or to reinforce the underlying structure of an argument, theory, or physical entity. It describes the act of strengthening the core elements that hold a complex system or idea together to ensure stability.
misdictious
C1To communicate or record verbal information inaccurately, specifically by confusing similar-sounding words or misinterpreting dictated instructions. It is primarily used in technical or test-based contexts to describe a failure in precise verbal transmission.
proscriber
C1To officially forbid or prohibit something by law, decree, or social authority. It can also refer to the act of denouncing or condemning a person or group as harmful or dangerous.
triprehendful
C1A triprehendful refers to a specific quantity of complex information or a situation that requires three distinct perspectives or levels of analysis to be fully grasped. It describes an amount of data or conceptual difficulty that is multifaceted and cannot be simplified into a binary explanation.
adcedency
C1Adcedency refers to the state of rising to or holding a position of dominant power, influence, or governing authority. It describes the condition of being in control or having a superior status over others in a specific hierarchy or field.
postdynery
C1To engage in the practice of lingering at a table after a meal has concluded to enjoy conversation and social bonding. This verb describes the transition from the physical act of eating to the intellectual or social act of communal reflection.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free