mean
gb/mˈin/ us/mˈin/
A2
Inglês
~ 2600
Acepções
0 acepção
Verbo
A2
action
1
intend to express
To want to say or show a certain idea.
Padrão de uso:
to mean [something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mean' with 'say'. 'Mean' is about the intended message, not just the words spoken.
Sinônimos
intend (Focuses more on the plan or purpose rather than the communication of it.)
Antônimos
miscommunicate (Express something in a way that is misunderstood or incorrect.)
Colocações
mean well
|mean no harm
|mean exactly
|mean what you say
Temas
communication
|thinking
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
- What do you mean by that remark?
- He means to finish the project by Friday.
- When I said 'soon', I meant within an hour.
- She means a lot to me.
Exemplos para estudantes
- I mean we will go now.
- What do you mean by this?
- I did not mean to make you sad.
- He means to call her tonight.
adjective
A2
property
2
unkind or nasty
Not nice; wanting to hurt or upset someone.
Padrão de uso:
a mean [person/remark]
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse this with 'average' in math. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Sinônimos
cruel (Stronger and more deliberate harm than 'mean'.)
Antônimos
kind (Shows care and concern for others instead of causing harm.)
Colocações
mean comment
|mean streak
|mean look
|mean to someone
Temas
emotions
|behavior
|relationships
Exemplos
- That was a mean thing to say.
- She can be really mean when she’s angry.
- Don’t be mean to your little brother.
- He gave me a mean glare.
- They spread mean rumors about her.
Exemplos para estudantes
- He is a mean boy.
- She said a mean thing.
- Don't be mean to me.
- That was a mean joke.
Verbo
B1
state
3
be important or significant
To be important or special to someone.
Padrão de uso:
[something] means [something] to [someone]
Sinônimos
matter ('Matter' is more general and slightly less emotional.)
Antônimos
be irrelevant (Lacking importance or significance.)
Colocações
mean a lot
|mean the world
|mean nothing
Temas
emotions
|importance
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Your friendship means a lot to me.
- Winning this award means everything to her.
- Money means nothing if you’re not happy.
- That gesture really means something.
- This job means stability for my family.
Exemplos para estudantes
- You mean a lot to me.
- This book means nothing to him.
- Her smile means everything to me.
- This letter means much to us.
Substantivo
technical
B2
quantity
4
mathematical average value
A number found by adding up all numbers and dividing by how many there are.
Sinônimos
average ('Average' is more common in everyday speech; 'mean' is more precise in math.)
Antônimos
extreme value (A value far from the average in a set.)
Colocações
arithmetic mean
|geometric mean
|calculate the mean
Temas
mathematics
|statistics
|science
|education
Exemplos
- The mean of 2, 4, and 6 is 4.
- We calculated the mean score for the class.
- The arithmetic mean is often used in statistics.
- The geometric mean is different from the arithmetic mean.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The mean of 1 and 3 is 2.
- Find the mean of these numbers.
- We need to get the mean score.
adjective
informal
B2
property
5
very good or skillful (slang)
Very good at something; impressive.
Padrão de uso:
a mean [skill/object]
Sinônimos
impressive (More formal and does not carry slang tone.)
Antônimos
poor (Lacking skill or quality.)
Colocações
mean guitar player
|mean cook
Temas
informal language
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemplos
- He plays a mean guitar.
- She makes a mean cup of coffee.
- That chef can cook a mean steak.
Exemplos para estudantes
- He makes a mean cake.
- She plays a mean piano.
- They cook a mean soup.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
mean
AFI
GB/mˈin/
US/mˈin/
Sílabas e tonicidade
mean (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Formas da palavra
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
Família de palavras
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
Destaques
- Irregular past: meant Verb
- Irregular past participle: meant Verb
Expressões
mean business
1/mˈin bˈɪznɪs/
idiom
be serious and determined
To be serious about what you are doing and want to succeed.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- This job is by no means easy.
- He is by no means ready for the exam.