mean
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
- The word meant one thing in Shakespeare's day, but it means something else now.
- Red means “stop” and green means “go.”
- Can you tell me what my dream means?
- What was meant by the poet?
- Don't distort what she meant by taking her words out of context.
- 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.
- She's not getting any thinner, if you know what I mean.
- She says she didn't mean anything by what she did.
- I don't trust him. He means no good.
Origin of MEAN
Middle English menen, from Old English mǣnan; akin to Old High German meinen to have in mind, Old Church Slavic měniti to mention
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to MEAN
Related Words: connote, imply, suggest; add up (to), amount (to); hint, infer, insinuate, intimate; embody, epitomize, personify, represent, symbol, symbolize; advert, allude (to), cite, instance, mention, refer (to), specify, touch (on or upon); designate, indicate, point (to), signal; announce, declare, proclaim; elucidate, explain
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