mean

I UK [miːn] / US [mɪn] verb [transitive]
Word forms "mean":
present tense I/you/we/they mean he/she/it means present participle meaning past tense meant UK [ment] / US past participle meant
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Get it right: mean:

When you want to say what something involves or what its result is, use the verb mean followed by the -ing form. Don't use an infinitive:
Wrong: Being tolerant means not to be prejudiced.
Right: Being tolerant means not being prejudiced.
Wrong: Reversing these changes would mean to challenge the power of the government.
Right: Reversing these changes would mean challenging the power of the government. Use mean with an infinitive when you want to say that someone intends to do something: They intend to pour cash into the health service, but they also mean to reform it. In this sense, mean is often used in the passive: Taking children into care is meant to be in the interests of the children, not the state.

1) to have a particular meaning

The word means something different in French.

What does "pulchritude" mean?

mean something by something:

Everything depends on what you mean by the word "free".

a) to communicate a particular meaning, feeling, or piece of information

When you shake your head it usually means "no".

For most people, Paris means romance.

His behaviour doesn't mean that he doesn't like you.

take something to mean something (= understand it to have a particular meaning):

I took their silence to mean disapproval.

b) to be evidence that something exists

That dark patch means that water is coming in.

The look on her face meant only one thing – trouble.

2) to intend something bad or harmful

mean someone something:

I know they didn't mean our family any disrespect.

mean someone harm (= intend to harm them):

She had never meant him any real harm.

a) to intend to do something, often something bad or wrong

mean to do something:

Whoops! I didn't mean to step on your toe.

I mean to leave that meeting with a new contract.

b) to want someone to do something, or to want something to happen to someone

mean someone to do something:

It was our secret – I didn't mean you to tell him.

We didn't mean you to lose your job.

c) to say something with a particular intention

mean something as a joke/compliment/insult:

Don't be offended: she meant it as a compliment.

3) to make something necessary, or to make it happen

something means doing something:

The new agreement means accepting lower wages.

This development could mean that the lawsuit will be dropped.

4) to refer to someone or something when you are talking, looking, pointing etc at them

No, I don't mean her – I mean the tall woman.

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(do) you mean...? — spoken used for saying what someone else has said using different words, as a way of asking them if you have understood it correctly

You mean we do the work and you get the money?

how do you mean? — spoken used for asking someone to explain what they have said

"She wasn't at all like I expected." "How do you mean?"

I mean (to say) — spoken used for adding a comment or explaining what you have just said; spoken used for correcting a mistake in something you have just said

We couldn't live on that! I mean, it's ridiculous.

Let's ask Mark. I mean Marco.

mean something/everything — to be important/very important

She knows the children mean everything in the world to me.

what do you mean? — spoken used for asking someone to explain what they have said; spoken used for showing that you are shocked or annoyed about something that someone has told you

What do you mean you can't find the keys?

- be meant for

- be meant to be

- be meant to do something

- I know what you mean

- I see what you mean

- mean anything to someone

- mean business

- mean nothing

- mean well

II UK [miːn] / US [mɪn] adjective
Word forms "mean":
adjective mean comparative meaner superlative meanest
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Differences between British and American English: mean:

In the UK, mean usually describes someone who is not generous or does not like spending money: He's too mean to give a large donation. The usual American word for this is cheap. In the US, mean usually describes someone or something that is unkind, cruel, or violent: It's mean of you to ignore her.

1)

a) informal cruel, or unkind

Our teachers were just mean.

be mean to someone:

Don't be so mean to your sister.

b) angry and violent

a mean look in his eye

a mean horse

2) British not willing to spend money. The usual American word is cheap

She was too mean to put the heating on.

3) mainly literary typical of the living conditions and environment of poor people

a mean little house

mean streets

4) maths calculated by adding several numbers together and dividing the total by the original number of things you added together

Calculate the mean distance travelled.

5) [only before noun] informal excellent, or skilful

She plays a mean game of tennis.

Derived words:
meanly
adverb
meanness
noun uncountable
III UK [miːn] / US [mɪn] noun [countable]
Word forms "mean":
singular mean plural means

1) maths an amount that is calculated by adding several numbers together and dividing the total by the original number of things that you added together

2) formal something that is between two extremes or opposites