mean
To want to say or show a certain idea.
To have as a purpose or intention when saying or doing something.
Not nice; wanting to hurt or upset someone.
Unkind, spiteful, or intending to hurt others.
To be important or special to someone.
To have a particular level of importance or value.
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.
Very good at something; impressive.
Very good, skillful, or impressive, often in a particular activity (informal).
- Base: mean
- Comparative: meaner
- Superlative: meanest
- Base: mean
- Plural: means
- Base: mean
- 3rd Person Singular: means
- Present Participle: meaning
- Past: meant
- Past Participle: meant
- Irregular past: meant Verb
- Irregular past participle: meant Verb
mean business
1be serious and determined
To be serious about what you are doing and want to succeed.
- 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
1be extremely important emotionally
To be very important and loved by someone.
- You mean the world to me.
- Her support during hard times meant the world to him.
mean well
1intend to do good
To want to help or do good, even if it does not work out well.
- 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...
1explain meaning of statement
Used before explaining what something just said really means.
- What it means is we need more time.
- What it means is that prices will go up.
by no means
1not at all; in no way
Not at all; in no way.
- It is by no means certain that we will win.
- This is by no means an easy task.
by no means
2Definitely not; not at all
Used to say that something is not true at all.
- This job is by no means easy.
- He is by no means ready for the exam.