meaning

1 of 2

noun

mean·​ing ˈmē-niŋ 

1

a

: the thing one intends to convey especially by language : purport

Do not mistake my meaning.

b

: the thing that is conveyed especially by language : import

Many words have more than one meaning.

2

: something meant or intended : aim

a mischievous meaning was apparent

3

: significant quality

especially : implication of a hidden or special significance

a glance full of meaning

4

a

: the logical connotation of a word or phrase

b

: the logical denotation or extension of a word or phrase

meaning

2 of 2

adjective

somewhat old-fashioned

: conveying or intended to convey meaning : significant, meaningful

a meaning smile

When any mention was made of baronets either married or unmarried, of former lovers, of broken vows, or of second engagements, Miss Altifiorla would look with a meaning glance at her hostess.

—Anthony Trollope

Ruby lifted her heavy-lidded eyes and sent him a meaning look.

—Edna Ferber

meaningly

ˈmē-niŋ-lē 

adverb

She said: "I am not a very plucky girl." She looked up at me and added meaningly: "And you know it. And you know why."

—Joseph Conrad

"I have come about a private matter," he said, looking meaningly at Betty, who got up and began to move toward the door.

—P. G. Wodehouse

Synonyms

Noun

• sense
• significance
• content
• intention
• intent
• definition
• import

Adjective

• suggestive
• revealing
• meaningful
• eloquent
• expressive
• reminiscent

Examples of meaning in a Sentence

Noun

What is the precise meaning of this word in English?

an old word that has taken on a new meaning

The word has both literal meanings and figurative meanings.

a word with various shades of meaning

Don't distort her meaning by taking her words out of context.

I didn't understand the meaning of his remark.

Literary critics disagree about the meanings of his poems.

a poem with subtle shades of meaning

What is the meaning of life?

It's a story about the true meaning of Christmas.

Adjective

gave me a meaning look after I said that

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

What kind of despair would people feel upon the discovery that their source of joy, belonging, and meaning was a farce? —Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

This motivated me to re-educate myself on the meaning of these virtues. —Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Consider looking for these pieces at a souvenir shop on your next beach vacation or at an antique store, which will give them a special meaning. —Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025

Each generation searches for purpose and meaning as their worlds collide in unexpected ways. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1726, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing meaning

• grammatical meaning
• know the meaning of (something)
• know the meaning of the word
• lexical meaning
• well-meaning

Rhymes for meaning

• cleaning
• gleaning
• greening
• keening
• leaning
• peening
• preening
• screening
• weaning
• careening
• convening
• demeaning

Kids Definition

meaning

1 of 2 noun

mean·​ing

ˈmē-niŋ

1

a

: the sense one intends to communicate especially by language

do not mistake my meaning

b

: the sense that is communicated

the poem's meaning is clear

2

: purpose sense 1, intention

3

: intent to communicate information : significance

a glance full of meaning

meaning

2 of 2 adjective

: conveying or intended to convey meaning : significant

a meaning look