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

• content
• denotation
• drift
• import
• intent
• intention
• purport
• sense
• significance
• signification

Adjective

• eloquent
• expressive
• meaningful
• pregnant
• revealing
• revelatory
• significant
• suggestive

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The duality of life & death, pain & joy, yin & yang, need to exist along side each other or none of this would have any meaning. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024

While some have found meaning in their daily projects or interactions with their bosses, there’s still a larger questioning of the system at play. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

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

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

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