1 mean
Pronounced:
/ˈmi:n/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
means; meant /ˈmɛnt/ mean·ing Meaning:
1 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : 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. ▪ When she says the play was “interesting,” she means (that) it wasn't very good. ▪ He's very ambitious, and I mean that as a compliment. ▪ 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 [+ obj] : to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal ▪ 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. —often followed by to + verb ▪ He didn't mean [=intend] to do any harm. ▪ She means to win. ▪ I keep meaning to visit you—I just never seem to get around to it. ▪ 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 [+ obj] —often + as ▪ His comment was meant [=intended] as a joke. —often followed by to + verb ▪ 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 obj] (chiefly US) —+ for ▪ We meant for her to come with us. b [+ obj] : to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person —often + for ▪ I meant [=intended] the flowers for you, not for your sister. ▪ The book was meant for children, but it is popular with adults too. ▪ His criticism is meant for all of us. —often followed by to + verb ▪ They meant the book to be a present. —sometimes + as ▪ They meant the book as a present.
5 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] 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] ▪ I'll get the work done today even if it means staying late.
7 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] —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?] ▪ 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. ▪ He claims that money means nothing to him. [=that he does not care at all about money] ▪ Her words meant nothing to me. [=I did not care what she said] ▪ 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]
2 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : 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. ▪ When she says the play was “interesting,” she means (that) it wasn't very good. ▪ He's very ambitious, and I mean that as a compliment. ▪ 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 [+ obj] : to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal ▪ 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. —often followed by to + verb ▪ He didn't mean [=intend] to do any harm. ▪ She means to win. ▪ I keep meaning to visit you—I just never seem to get around to it. ▪ 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 [+ obj] —often + as ▪ His comment was meant [=intended] as a joke. —often followed by to + verb ▪ 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 obj] (chiefly US) —+ for ▪ We meant for her to come with us. b [+ obj] : to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person —often + for ▪ I meant [=intended] the flowers for you, not for your sister. ▪ The book was meant for children, but it is popular with adults too. ▪ His criticism is meant for all of us. —often followed by to + verb ▪ They meant the book to be a present. —sometimes + as ▪ They meant the book as a present.
5 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] 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] ▪ I'll get the work done today even if it means staying late.
7 not used in progressive tenses [+ obj] —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?] ▪ 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. ▪ He claims that money means nothing to him. [=that he does not care at all about money] ▪ Her words meant nothing to me. [=I did not care what she said] ▪ 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.
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 ▪ I know what it means to be poor. —usually used in negative statements ▪ You don't know what it means to be truly alone. —sometimes used in an exaggerated way to make a forceful statement ▪ I don't know what it means to surrender! [=I will never surrender]
mean business —see business
meant for (someone)
informal : perfectly suited for (someone) ▪ 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. —see also 1mean 4b (above)
meant to be/do something
1 : intended to do or be something ▪ I was never meant to teach. ▪ 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 Brit : 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]
2 Brit : 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 ▪ He means well, but he's not really helping anyone. —see also well-meaning