mean
gb/mˈin/ us/mˈin/
A2
English
~ 2600
akar, szándékozik, ért, gonosz, rosszindulatú, jelent, számít, számtani átlag, számtani közép, átlag, baromi jó, király, remek
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to mean [something]
I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
Nem akartam megbántani az érzéseidet.
What do you mean by that remark?
Mit akarsz mondani ezzel a megjegyzéssel?
He means to finish the project by Friday.
When I said 'soon', I meant within an hour.
She means a lot to me.
Learner examples
I mean we will go now.
Úgy értem, hogy most indulunk.
What do you mean by this?
Ezt hogy érted?
I did not mean to make you sad.
He means to call her tonight.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mean' with 'say'. 'Mean' is about the intended message, not just the words spoken.
Meaning
intend to express
Collocations
mean well
|mean no harm
|mean exactly
|mean what you say
Synonyms
intend (Focuses more on the plan or purpose rather than the communication of it.)
Antonyms
miscommunicate (Express something in a way that is misunderstood or incorrect.)
Themes
communication
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To want to say or show a certain idea.
To have as a purpose or intention when saying or doing something.
A2
2
gonosz
A2
Usage pattern:
a mean [person/remark]
That was a mean thing to say.
Gonosz dolog volt ezt mondani.
She can be really mean when she’s angry.
Nagyon gonosz tud lenni, amikor dühös.
Don’t be mean to your little brother.
He gave me a mean glare.
They spread mean rumors about her.
Learner examples
He is a mean boy.
Ő egy gonosz fiú.
She said a mean thing.
Gonosz dolgot mondott.
Don't be mean to me.
That was a mean joke.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'average' in math. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Meaning
unkind or nasty
Collocations
mean comment
|mean streak
|mean look
|mean to someone
Synonyms
cruel (Stronger and more deliberate harm than 'mean'.)
Antonyms
kind (Shows care and concern for others instead of causing harm.)
Themes
emotions
|behavior
|relationships
Definition
Not nice; wanting to hurt or upset someone.
Unkind, spiteful, or intending to hurt others.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] means [something] to [someone]
Your friendship means a lot to me.
Sokat jelent nekem a barátságod.
Winning this award means everything to her.
Ennek a díjnak az elnyerése mindent jelent neki.
Money means nothing if you’re not happy.
That gesture really means something.
This job means stability for my family.
Learner examples
You mean a lot to me.
Sokat jelentesz nekem.
This book means nothing to him.
Ez a könyv semmit sem jelent neki.
Her smile means everything to me.
This letter means much to us.
Meaning
be important or significant
Collocations
mean a lot
|mean the world
|mean nothing
Synonyms
matter ('Matter' is more general and slightly less emotional.)
Antonyms
be irrelevant (Lacking importance or significance.)
Themes
emotions
|importance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be important or special to someone.
To have a particular level of importance or value.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
The mean of 2, 4, and 6 is 4.
A 2, 4 és 6 számtani átlaga 4.
We calculated the mean score for the class.
Kiszámítottuk az osztály átlagpontszámát.
The arithmetic mean is often used in statistics.
The geometric mean is different from the arithmetic mean.
Learner examples
The mean of 1 and 3 is 2.
Az 1 és 3 számtani átlaga 2.
Find the mean of these numbers.
Számítsd ki ezeknek a számoknak a számtani átlagát.
We need to get the mean score.
Meaning
mathematical average value
Collocations
arithmetic mean
|geometric mean
|calculate the mean
Synonyms
average ('Average' is more common in everyday speech; 'mean' is more precise in math.)
Antonyms
extreme value (A value far from the average in a set.)
Themes
mathematics
|statistics
|science
|education
Definition
A number found by adding up all numbers and dividing by how many there are.
The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values; an average.
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
a mean [skill/object]
He plays a mean guitar.
Baromi jól gitározik.
She makes a mean cup of coffee.
Baromi jó kávét főz.
That chef can cook a mean steak.
Learner examples
He makes a mean cake.
Baromi jó tortát süt.
She plays a mean piano.
Baromi jól zongorázik.
They cook a mean soup.
Meaning
very good or skillful (slang)
Collocations
mean guitar player
|mean cook
Synonyms
impressive (More formal and does not carry slang tone.)
Antonyms
poor (Lacking skill or quality.)
Themes
informal language
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Very good at something; impressive.
Very good, skillful, or impressive, often in a particular activity (informal).
Grammar
Dictionary form
mean
IPA
GB/mˈin/
US/mˈin/
Syllables & stress
mean (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mean
- Comparative: meaner
- Superlative: meanest
Noun
- Base: mean
- Plural: means
Verb
- Base: mean
- 3rd Person Singular: means
- Present Participle: meaning
- Past: meant
- Past Participle: meant
Word family
Forms
means
noun
meaning
verb
meant
verb
meaner
adjective
meanest
adjective
Core family
meaningful
adjective B2
Related words
meaningfully
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
meaningless
adjective B2
meaninglessly
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
meaningfulness
noun
meaninglessness
noun
Highlights
- Irregular past: meant Verb
- Irregular past participle: meant Verb
Expressions
mean business
1/mˈin bˈɪznɪs/
idiom
be serious and determined
To be serious about what you are doing and want to succeed.
Examples
- When she picked up the microphone, you could tell she meant business.
- The police are here and they mean business.
mean the world to someone
1/mˈin ðə wˈɚld tə sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
be extremely important emotionally
To be very important and loved by someone.
Examples
- You mean the world to me.
- Her support during hard times meant the world to him.
mean well
1/mˈin wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
intend to do good
To want to help or do good, even if it does not work out well.
Examples
- I know he can be annoying, but he means well.
- She meant well when she gave advice, but it upset him.
what it means is...
1/wˈʌt ˈɪt mˈinz ˈɪz |/
fixed phrase
explain meaning of statement
Used before explaining what something just said really means.
Examples
- What it means is we need more time.
- What it means is that prices will go up.
by no means
1/bˈaɪ nˈoʊ mˈinz/
fixed phrase
formal
not at all; in no way
Not at all; in no way.
Examples
- It is by no means certain that we will win.
- This is by no means an easy task.
by no means
2/bˈaɪ nˈoʊ mˈinz/
fixed phrase
Definitely not; not at all
Used to say that something is not true at all.
Examples
- This job is by no means easy.
- He is by no means ready for the exam.