mean

47 ENTRIES FOUND:

1mean

verb \ˈmēn\
meant \ˈment\ mean·ing \ˈmē-niŋ\

Definition of MEAN

transitive verb
1
a : to have in the mind as a purpose : intend <she means to win> —sometimes used interjectionally with I, chiefly in informal speech for emphasis <he throws, I mean, hard> or to introduce a phrase restating the point of a preceding phrase <we try to answer what we can, but I mean we're not God — Bobbie Ann Mason> b : to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future <I was meant to teach>
2
: to serve or intend to convey, show, or indicate : signify <a red sky means rain>
3
: to have importance to the degree of <health means everything>
4
: to direct to a particular individual
intransitive verb
: to have an intended purpose <he means well>
mean·er \ˈmē-nər\ noun
mean business
: to be in earnest

Examples of MEAN

  1. The word meant one thing in Shakespeare's day, but it means something else now.
  2. Red means stop and green means go.
  3. Can you tell me what my dream means?
  4. What was meant by the poet?
  5. Don't distort what she meant by taking her words out of context.
  6. He's very ambitious, and I mean that as a compliment.
  7. It's a very easy question. Anyone, and I mean anyone, should be able to answer it.
  8. She's not getting any thinner, if you know what I mean.
  9. She says she didn't mean anything by what she did.
  10. I don't trust him. He means no good.
  11. The season of backyard barbecues and lakeside cookouts is at hand, which in most parts of the country means an orgy of grilled steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs lasting until Labor Day and beyond. —R. W. Apple, Jr., New York Times, 5 June 2002

Origin of MEAN

Middle English menen, from Old English ̄nan; akin to Old High German meinen to have in mind, Old Church Slavic měniti to mention
First Known Use: before 12th century

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