mean
17 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of MEAN
1
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to have (a particular meaning)
-
What does this word mean in English? = What is meant in English by this word?
-
The word meant one thing in Shakespeare's day, but it means something else now.
-
The abbreviation “U.S.” means [=stands for] “United States.”
-
Red means “stop” and green means “go.”
-
Can you tell me what my dream means?
-
“Bonjour” is a French word meaning “hello.” = “Bonjour” is a French word that means “hello.”
2
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to want or intend to express (a particular idea or meaning)
-
I meant what I said. [=I was sincere when I said it]
-
What was meant by the poet?
-
Don't distort what she meant by taking her words out of context.
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When she says the play was “interesting,” she means (that) it wasn't very good.
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He's very ambitious, and I mean that as a compliment.
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It's a very easy question. Anyone, and I mean anyone, should be able to answer it.
-
You hold it like this. (Do you ) See what I mean? [=do you understand what I'm showing you?]
-
She's not getting any thinner, if you know/get what I mean.
-
“He can be a little difficult. (Do you ) Know what I mean?”
-
“He can be a little difficult.” “What/How do you mean?” = “Meaning? ” [=what exactly do you mean when you say that?]
-
“He can be a little difficult.” “I know what you mean.” [=I agree]
-
“He can be a little difficult.” “What's that supposed to mean?” [=I am surprised that you would say that; I don't agree with what you are saying]
3
[+ object]
:
to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal
— often followed by to + verb
-
Just what do you mean (by) coming into my room without knocking? [=what is your reason for coming into my room without knocking?]
-
She says she didn't mean anything by what she did.
-
She didn't mean (you) any harm. = She meant no harm (to you). [=she did not intend to cause any harm (to you)]
-
I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I meant (you) no offense/disrespect.
-
I don't trust him. He means no good.
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He didn't mean [=intend] to do any harm.
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She means to win.
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I keep meaning to visit you—I just never seem to get around to it.
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He says he never meant to hurt her.
4
not used in progressive tenses
a
:
to plan for or want (someone or something) to do or to be something
— often followed by to + verb
[+ object]
— often + as
-
His comment was meant [=intended] as a joke.
-
We meant her to come with us.
-
She meant her remarks to be funny.
-
“What you said hurt his feelings!” “Well, I meant it to!”
[no object]
(chiefly US)
— + for
-
We meant for her to come with us.
b
[+ object]
:
to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person
— often + for
— often followed by to + verb
— sometimes + as
-
I meant [=intended] the flowers for you, not for your sister.
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The book was meant for children, but it is popular with adults too.
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His criticism is meant for all of us.
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They meant the book to be a present.
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They meant the book as a present.
5
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to make a statement to or about (someone)
-
“Hey, you!” “I'm sorry: do you mean me?” [=are you talking to me?]
-
“Some people here are too bossy!” “Do you mean me?” [=are you referring to me?]
6
not used in progressive tenses
[+ object]
a
:
to indicate or show (something that is going to happen)
-
Those clouds mean rain. = Those clouds mean (that) it's going to rain.
-
When he gets that angry look in his eyes, you know it means trouble. [=you know that there will be trouble]
b
:
to cause or result in (something)
-
The bad weather could mean further delays.
c
:
to involve or require (something) as a necessary part
-
Becoming a concert pianist means practicing a lot. [=if you're going to become a concert pianist you have to practice a lot]
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I'll get the work done today even if it means staying late.
7
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
— used to say or ask how important something is to someone
— usually + to
-
How much does your health mean to you? [=how important is your health to you?]
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It means a lot to me to know that you believe me.
-
“I believe you.” “Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me.”
-
Your good opinion means a great deal to me.
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He claims that money means nothing to him. [=that he does not care at all about money]
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Her words meant nothing to me. [=I did not care what she said]
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I thought our friendship meant something to you. [=I thought that you cared about our friendship]
-
His wife means everything to him. = His wife means the world to him. [=he loves his wife very much]
I mean
informal
1
— used to emphasize a statement
-
He has to stop drinking. I mean, he's going to kill himself if he keeps it up.
-
He throws, I mean, really hard!
2
— used to correct a previous statement
-
We met in Toronto—I mean Montreal.
3
— used when you are unsure of what to say or how to say it
-
I'm not mad. It's just that, I mean, I think you've been acting a little selfishly.
know what it means
:
to understand what it is like to do or be something
— usually used in negative statements
— sometimes used in an exaggerated way to make a forceful statement
-
I know what it means to be poor.
-
You don't know what it means to be truly alone.
-
I don't know what it means to surrender! [=I will never surrender]
mean business
meant for (someone)
informal
:
perfectly suited for (someone)
—
see also 1mean 4b (above)
-
You were meant for me and I was meant for you.
-
I'm not surprised that they have such a happy marriage. I always knew that they were meant for each other.
meant to be/do something
1
:
intended to do or be something
-
I was never meant to teach.
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They knew as soon as they met that they were meant to be together.
-
I thought we could be friends, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. [=it was not destined to happen]
2
British
:
supposed to be or do something
-
The buses are meant [=expected] to arrive every 15 minutes.
-
Brighton is meant to be very beautiful at this time of year. [=people say that Brighton is very beautiful at this time of year]
mean well
:
to want to do good or helpful things
:
to have good intentions
—
see also well-meaning
-
He means well, but he's not really helping anyone.
2
mean
/ˈmiːn/
adjective
meaner;
meanest
2
mean
/ˈmiːn/
adjective
meaner;
meanest
Britannica Dictionary definition of MEAN
[also more mean; most mean]
1
somewhat informal
a
:
not kind to people
:
cruel or harsh
-
My boss is a mean and nasty old man who treats everyone badly.
-
the mean stepmother in the fairy tale
-
Why are you being so mean to me? [=why are you treating me so harshly?]
-
It was mean of them not to invite her to the party.
-
Someone played a mean trick on her.
-
He has a mean streak.
3
old-fashioned + literary
:
of poor quality or status
-
mean city streets
-
living in mean circumstances
4
chiefly US, informal
:
excellent or impressive
-
He plays a mean trumpet. = He's a mean trumpet player. [=he plays the trumpet very well]
-
an athlete who describes himself as a lean, mean scoring machine
-
We wanted our business to be lean and mean. [=to be efficient and successful]
no mean
informal
— used to say that something is good or impressive
-
a tennis player of no mean ability [=a very good tennis player]
-
Getting the project done on time will be no mean feat. [=will be a difficult and impressive accomplishment]
—
compare 3mean
-
behaving/living meanly
-
a meanly ambitious man
-
the meanness of her character
-
meanness of spirit
3
mean
/ˈmiːn/
adjective
3
mean
/ˈmiːn/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of MEAN
always used before a noun
—
compare 2mean
4
mean
/ˈmiːn/
noun
plural
means
4
mean
/ˈmiːn/
noun
plural
means
Britannica Dictionary definition of MEAN
[count]
1
2
:
a middle point between two things
-
trying to find a golden mean between doing too little and doing too much
—
see also means
