means
Pronounced:
/ˈmi:nz/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural meansMeaning:
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]
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.