mean
🇺🇸
/miːn/
🇬🇧
/miːn/
verb
A1
to convey a certain idea or to refer to something
The word 'soul' can mean different things to different people.
A1
to represent or symbolize something
The dove is a symbol that means peace.
A2
to say or imply something
What did you mean by that statement?
B1
to intend to cause a particular result
He didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
B1
to result in something, especially a negative outcome
Ignoring the problem could mean disaster.
B1
to be important or valuable to someone
Her support means a lot to me.
B2
to be intended for a particular person or purpose
This gift is meant for you.
adjective
R
not generous with money or possessions
He's very mean with his money.
R
unkind or cruel
He was mean to his classmates.
R
easily becoming angry
He has a mean temper.
R
very good at something, especially a skill
She's a mean basketball player.
R
average
The mean temperature is 20 degrees.
R
of low quality or poor
This is a mean trick.
R
poor and dirty
They live in mean conditions.
R
of low social status
He comes from a mean background.
noun
R
a middle point between two extremes
Finding a mean between the two opinions is difficult.
R
the average of a set of numbers
The mean score was 85.
translation
to convey a certain idea or to refer to something; to represent or symbolize something; to say or imply something; to intend to cause a particular result; to result in something, especially a negative outcome; to be important or valuable to someone; to be intended for a particular person or purpose
not generous with money or possessions; unkind or cruel; easily becoming angry; very good at something, especially a skill; average; of low quality or poor; poor and dirty; of low social status
a middle point between two extremes; the average of a set of numbers
Word Forms
3rd Present
means
Progressive
meaning
Past
meant
Comparative
meaner
Superlative
meanest
Perfect
meant
Plural
means