meant to (be/do something)
idiom
1
: intended to (do or be something)
I was never meant to teach.
They knew as soon as they met that they were meant to be together.
I thought we could be friends, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.
2
British
: supposed to (be or do something)
The buses are meant to arrive every 15 minutes.
Brighton is meant to be very beautiful at this time of year.
Examples of meant to (be/do something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To Thomas, the phrase is meant to encourage people to not give up on democracy.
—
Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Easter is meant to celebrate the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and occurs at the end of the Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday, comprising the seven days before Easter Sunday.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 19 Apr. 2025
In Alentejo, food is meant to be shared, and time at the table is never hurried, and this is a central element of the experience at São Lourenço do Barrocal.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
On January 15th, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire that was meant to lead to peace.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meant to (be/do something)
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Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Easter is meant to celebrate the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and occurs at the end of the Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday, comprising the seven days before Easter Sunday.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 19 Apr. 2025
In Alentejo, food is meant to be shared, and time at the table is never hurried, and this is a central element of the experience at São Lourenço do Barrocal.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
On January 15th, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire that was meant to lead to peace.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meant to (be/do something)
Cite this Entry
“Meant to (be/do something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meant%20to%20%28be%2Fdo%20something%29. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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