Mean | Mean of mean in English Dictionary

/ˈmiːn/

• Verb
• to have (a particular meaning)
1. What does this word mean in English? = What is meant in English by this word?
2. The word meant one thing in Shakespeare's day, but it means something else now.
3. The abbreviation “U.S.” means [=stands for] “United States.”
4. Red means “stop” and green means “go.”
5. Can you tell me what my dream means?
6. “Bonjour” is a French word meaning “hello.” = “Bonjour” is a French word that means “hello.”
• to want or intend to express (a particular idea or meaning)
1. I meant what I said. [=I was sincere when I said it]
2. What was meant by the poet?
3. Don't distort what she meant by taking her words out of context.
4. When she says the play was “interesting,” she means (that) it wasn't very good.
5. He's very ambitious, and I mean that as a compliment.
6. It's a very easy question. Anyone, and I mean anyone, should be able to answer it.
7. You hold it like this. (Do you ) See what I mean? [=do you understand what I'm showing you?]
8. She's not getting any thinner, if you know/get what I mean.
9. “He can be a little difficult. (Do you ) Know what I mean?”
10. “He can be a little difficult.” “What/How do you mean?” = “Meaning? ” [=what exactly do you mean when you say that?]
11. “He can be a little difficult.” “I know what you mean.” [=I agree]
12. “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]
• to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal
1. Just what do you mean (by) coming into my room without knocking? [=what is your reason for coming into my room without knocking?]
2. She says she didn't mean anything by what she did.
3. She didn't mean (you) any harm. = She meant no harm (to you). [=she did not intend to cause any harm (to you)]
4. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I meant (you) no offense/disrespect.
5. I don't trust him. He means no good.
6. He didn't mean [=intend] to do any harm.
7. She means to win.
8. I keep meaning to visit you—I just never seem to get around to it.
9. He says he never meant to hurt her.

• to plan for or want (someone or something) to do or to be something
1. His comment was meant [=intended] as a joke.
2. We meant her to come with us.
3. She meant her remarks to be funny.
4. “What you said hurt his feelings!” “Well, I meant it to!”
5. We meant for her to come with us.
• to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person
1. I meant [=intended] the flowers for you, not for your sister.
2. The book was meant for children, but it is popular with adults too.
3. His criticism is meant for all of us.
4. They meant the book to be a present.
5. They meant the book as a present.
• to make a statement to or about (someone)
1. “Hey, you!” “I'm sorry: do you mean me?” [=are you talking to me?]
2. “Some people here are too bossy!” “Do you mean me?” [=are you referring to me?]
• to indicate or show (something that is going to happen)
1. Those clouds mean rain. = Those clouds mean (that) it's going to rain.
2. When he gets that angry look in his eyes, you know it means trouble. [=you know that there will be trouble]
• to cause or result in (something)
1. The bad weather could mean further delays.
• to involve or require (something) as a necessary part
1. Becoming a concert pianist means practicing a lot. [=if you're going to become a concert pianist you have to practice a lot]
2. I'll get the work done today even if it means staying late.
• to understand what it is like to do or be something
1. I know what it means to be poor.
2. You don't know what it means to be truly alone.
3. I don't know what it means to surrender! [=I will never surrender]
• perfectly suited for (someone)
1. You were meant for me and I was meant for you.
2. I'm not surprised that they have such a happy marriage. I always knew that they were meant for each other.
• intended to do or be something
1. I was never meant to teach.
2. They knew as soon as they met that they were meant to be together.
3. I thought we could be friends, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. [=it was not destined to happen]
• supposed to be or do something
1. The buses are meant [=expected] to arrive every 15 minutes.
2. Brighton is meant to be very beautiful at this time of year. [=people say that Brighton is very beautiful at this time of year]
• to want to do good or helpful things
1. He means well, but he's not really helping anyone.
• not kind to people
1. My boss is a mean and nasty old man who treats everyone badly.
2. the mean stepmother in the fairy tale
3. Why are you being so mean to me? [=why are you treating me so harshly?]
4. It was mean of them not to invite her to the party.
5. Someone played a mean trick on her.
6. He has a mean streak.
• very dangerous
1. a mean dog
• not liking to spend money
1. He's a mean man who never gives presents to anyone.
2. He's very mean with his money.
• of poor quality or status
1. mean city streets
2. living in mean circumstances
• excellent or impressive
1. He plays a mean trumpet. = He's a mean trumpet player. [=he plays the trumpet very well]
2. an athlete who describes himself as a lean, mean scoring machine
3. We wanted our business to be lean and mean. [=to be efficient and successful]
• occurring exactly between the highest and lowest number
1. the mean temperature
• Noun
• a middle point between two things
1. trying to find a golden mean between doing too little and doing too much