also: いいざま
expression, noun
manner of speaking; way of saying something
Refers to how something is phrased or expressed; often used when commenting on wording or tone.
彼の言いようには少し棘があった。
There was a bit of a sting in the way he said it.
そんな言いようはないだろう。
That's no way to talk.
adverb
as one speaks; at the same time as speaking
Only with reading いいざま
Adverbial use with reading いいざま; describes an action done while speaking. Rare and somewhat literary.
彼は言いざまに立ち上がった。
He stood up as he spoke.
言い方 is the common word for 'way of speaking'; 言いよう is less frequent and slightly more formal or literary.
Compound of 言い (continuative form of 言う 'to say') + 様 (よう 'way, manner'). The adverbial reading いいざま uses the older ざま reading of 様.