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
Jessica and Melissa immediately went to work on what would become their Go Getter supplement, which is meant to improve focus and attention.
—
Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
If it’s meant to be the last Bluey story, then some degree of wish fulfillment, along with a curtain call for the larger ensemble and that emotionally overwhelming hug on the front lawn, feels deserved enough.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
For now, at least, all the new drugs are meant to be taken indefinitely.
—Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
That is what documentary filmmaking in social movements is meant to do.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Getting a firearm is easier now thanks to ghost guns and kits used to build guns, Bethel said, adding that some people bought guns with government money meant to cushion the financial blows of the pandemic.
—Michel Martin, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
And if the Rapture ever brings the souls of the multitudes down Ontario Avenue to Robertson’s doorstep, they will still be welcomed with jubilant art meant to guide them to salvation.
—Allison C. Meier, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
That concealed a federal election law violation because the $130,000 payment was meant to help Trump's 2016 election and exceeded campaign contribution limits, according to the prosecution.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Is Expanding Medicaid Within Reach?: As Southern states reconsider Medicaid expansion, Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas is pushing her own plan meant to appeal to conservatives.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
If it’s meant to be the last Bluey story, then some degree of wish fulfillment, along with a curtain call for the larger ensemble and that emotionally overwhelming hug on the front lawn, feels deserved enough.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024
For now, at least, all the new drugs are meant to be taken indefinitely.
—Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
That is what documentary filmmaking in social movements is meant to do.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 15 Apr. 2024
Getting a firearm is easier now thanks to ghost guns and kits used to build guns, Bethel said, adding that some people bought guns with government money meant to cushion the financial blows of the pandemic.
—Michel Martin, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
And if the Rapture ever brings the souls of the multitudes down Ontario Avenue to Robertson’s doorstep, they will still be welcomed with jubilant art meant to guide them to salvation.
—Allison C. Meier, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
That concealed a federal election law violation because the $130,000 payment was meant to help Trump's 2016 election and exceeded campaign contribution limits, according to the prosecution.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Is Expanding Medicaid Within Reach?: As Southern states reconsider Medicaid expansion, Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas is pushing her own plan meant to appeal to conservatives.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meant to (be/do something).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share