mean

About 130.76 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To intend. To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

   I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.

2. verb To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

   I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.

3. verb To have as intentions of a given kind.

   Don't be angry; she meant well.

4. verb To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine.

   Actually this desk was meant for the subeditor.

5. verb 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?

6. verb To convey (a meaning). 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?

7. verb 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?

8. verb Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify.

   What does this hieroglyph mean?

Similar words

entail have in mind imply think of think signify skilled normal intend base

Often followed by

that to the of by a time and it

Word family

meaned meaner meaners meanest meaning meanness meannesses means meant