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means Listen to audio/ˈmi:nz/ noun
plural means
1 [count] : a way of doing something or of achieving a desired result
trains, buses, and other means of transportation a means of communication/expression using fingerprints as a means of identification What's the best means of getting there? Public transportation. The property was obtained by illegal means. He vowed that he would succeed by any means necessary. [=by doing whatever was needed] He would use all/any manner of means to succeed. For her, marrying a rich man was just a means to an end. [=something done only to produce a desired result] All she really cared about was money. How can she survive when she has no visible means of support? [=she has no apparent way to pay for the things that she needs to live]see also ways and means, the end justifies the means at 1end
2 [plural] : the money that someone has : wealth
He has the means to give you everything you want. His means are enough to pay for college. a man/woman of means [=a wealthy man/woman] She is a woman of independent means. [=she has enough money to support herself without help from others] He enjoys a style of living that is beyond the means of all but the wealthiest people. [=that only the wealthiest people can afford] She was living beyond her means. [=she was spending more money than she could afford to spend] He began to save money when he finally learned to live within his means. [=to spend money only on what he could afford]
by all means
: of course : certainly
May I come in? By all means! By all means feel free to get a second opinion.
by means of
: through the use of (something)
He got out of trouble by means of a clever trick.
by no means or not by any means also not by any manner of means
: in no way : not at all
It's by no means certain that he'll come. = It's not by any means certain that he'll come. This is by no means the first time we have had this problem. I was not happy about the arrangements by any means, but I agreed to do it. This issue has not been resolved yet by any manner of means.
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