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mean

Q: How is the word 'mean' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average , median , and norm . While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes. // a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

Q: In what contexts can 'average' take the place of 'mean'?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. // scored an average of 85 on tests

Q: When could 'median' be used to replace 'mean'?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below. // average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Q: When is it sensible to use 'norm' instead of 'mean'?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade. // scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

verb

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Synonyms of mean

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind

the national anthem means various things to various people

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

elucidate,
explain

2 to be of importance

your presence at my graduation would mean a lot to me

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

Phrases Synonymous with mean

3 to have in mind as a purpose or goal

I mean to win this race

Synonyms for mean

aim,
allow
[chiefly Southern & Midland],
aspire,
calculate,
contemplate,
design,
go
[chiefly Southern & Midland],
intend,
look,
meditate,
plan,
propose,
purport,
purpose

Words Related to mean

plot,
scheme

Phrases Synonymous with mean

figure on

4 to serve as a sign or symptom of

these colder nights mean autumn has truly arrived

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

mean

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of mean (Entry 2 of 4)

1 a middle point between extremes

that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

Phrases Synonymous with mean

middle of the road

Near Antonyms for mean

maximum,
utmost

minimum

2 means plural an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

won the competition by fair and honest means

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

3 means plural something used to achieve an end

the ends don't justify the means

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

weapon

subagency,
subagent

4 means plural the total of one's money and property

a woman of considerable means

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

treasure,
valuables

Near Antonyms for mean

debts,
liabilities

indebtedness

mean

adjective (1)

Synonyms & Antonyms of mean (Entry 3 of 4)

being about midway between extremes of amount or size

for the state of Florida, what is the mean number of sunny days per month?

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

reasonable

Near Antonyms for mean

excessive,
extreme

mean

adjective (2)

Synonyms & Antonyms of mean (Entry 4 of 4)

1 belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank

Alexander Hamilton seems to have had feelings of inferiority because of his mean origins

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

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Antonyms for mean

2 giving or sharing as little as possible

a mean child who hoarded all her toys

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

inhospitable

Near Antonyms for mean

Antonyms for mean

3 having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it

a mean, embittered old woman who wanted company for her misery

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

Near Antonyms for mean

humane

Antonyms for mean

4 not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency

a mean trick to play on a trusting person

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

cruel,
vicious

Near Antonyms for mean

Antonyms for mean

5 of little or less value or merit

it's no mean feat to memorize that long poem

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

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Antonyms for mean

6 of the very best kind

I'm a mean dancer, so you could do worse than go to the prom with me

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

Phrases Synonymous with mean

Near Antonyms for mean

Antonyms for mean

7 showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect

he worked hard to escape the mean neighborhood of his youth

Synonyms for mean

beat-up,
bombed-out,
dilapidated,
dog-eared,
down-at-the-heels
(or down-at-heel also down-at-the-heel or down-at-heels),
dumpy,
grungy,
mangy,
miserable,
moth-eaten,
neglected,
ratty,
run-down,
scrubby,
scruffy,
seedy,
shabby,
sleazy,
tacky,
tatterdemalion,
tatty,
threadbare,
timeworn,
tumbledown

Words Related to mean

abandoned,
unkept

Phrases Synonymous with mean

gone to seed

Near Antonyms for mean

8 arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust

that was no mean stunt to pull off, especially with so little advance preparation

Synonyms for mean

Words Related to mean

Near Antonyms for mean

Antonyms for mean

Frequently Asked Questions About mean

How is the word mean distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of mean are average, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can average take the place of mean?

Although the words average and mean have much in common, average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When could median be used to replace mean?

While the synonyms median and mean are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

When is it sensible to use norm instead of mean?

The words norm and mean can be used in similar contexts, but norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

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