mean
/min/ verb A1- To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention. · I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.· I mean to go to Arévalo in Spain this summer; I’ve been meaning to tell you for weeks, but I’ve just found the time.
- To have as intentions of a given kind. · Don't be angry; she meant well.
- To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine. · Actually this desk was meant for the subeditor.· Man was not meant to question such things.
- To intend an ensuing comment or statement as an explanation. · Your reasoning seems needlessly abstruse, complex, and verbose for me. I mean, could you dumb it down for my sake?
- To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea). · The sky is red this morning—does that mean we're in for a storm?
- Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify. · What does this hieroglyph mean?
- Of a person (or animal etc): to intend to express, to imply, to hint at, to allude. · I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.· He’s a little different, if you know what I mean.
- To have conviction in (something said or expressed); to be sincere in (what one says). · Does she really mean what she said to him last night?· Say what you mean and mean what you say.
He/she/it means · Past meant · Past participle meant · -ing form meaning
Verb forms
- Base form
- mean
- He/she/it
- means
- Past
- meant
- Past participle
- meant
- -ing form
- meaning
An irregular verb: learn its past and past participle by heart.
From the library
What is the meaning of this?”
“I don’t profess to know the meaning of it,” said Cecil Barker; “but I have seen the mark on Douglas many times this last ten years.”
Do you mean is he a good comrade?
If you mean as responsible agent when you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty.”
Other matches
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