Engleză

mean

gb/mˈin/ us/mˈin/
A2 Engleză
~ 2600
Sensuri
0 sensuri
Verb A2 action
1

intend to express

To want to say or show a certain idea.

Tipar de utilizare: to mean [something]
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mean' with 'say'. 'Mean' is about the intended message, not just the words spoken.
Sinonime
intend (Focuses more on the plan or purpose rather than the communication of it.)
Antonime
miscommunicate (Express something in a way that is misunderstood or incorrect.)
Colocații
mean well |mean no harm |mean exactly |mean what you say
Teme
communication |thinking |core_vocabulary
Exemple
  • 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • 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.

Tipar de utilizare: a mean [person/remark]
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners may confuse this with 'average' in math. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Sinonime
cruel (Stronger and more deliberate harm than 'mean'.)
Antonime
kind (Shows care and concern for others instead of causing harm.)
Colocații
mean comment |mean streak |mean look |mean to someone
Teme
emotions |behavior |relationships
Exemple
  • 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • He is a mean boy.
  • She said a mean thing.
  • Don't be mean to me.
  • That was a mean joke.
Verb B1 state
3

be important or significant

To be important or special to someone.

Tipar de utilizare: [something] means [something] to [someone]
Sinonime
matter ('Matter' is more general and slightly less emotional.)
Antonime
be irrelevant (Lacking importance or significance.)
Colocații
mean a lot |mean the world |mean nothing
Teme
emotions |importance |core_vocabulary
Exemple
  • 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • You mean a lot to me.
  • This book means nothing to him.
  • Her smile means everything to me.
  • This letter means much to us.
Substantiv technical B2 quantity
4

mathematical average value

A number found by adding up all numbers and dividing by how many there are.

Sinonime
average ('Average' is more common in everyday speech; 'mean' is more precise in math.)
Antonime
extreme value (A value far from the average in a set.)
Colocații
arithmetic mean |geometric mean |calculate the mean
Teme
mathematics |statistics |science |education
Exemple
  • 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • 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.

Tipar de utilizare: a mean [skill/object]
Sinonime
impressive (More formal and does not carry slang tone.)
Antonime
poor (Lacking skill or quality.)
Colocații
mean guitar player |mean cook
Teme
informal language |core_vocabulary |communication
Exemple
  • He plays a mean guitar.
  • She makes a mean cup of coffee.
  • That chef can cook a mean steak.
Exemple pentru cursanți
  • He makes a mean cake.
  • She plays a mean piano.
  • They cook a mean soup.
Gramatică
Forma de dicționar
mean
IPA
GB/mˈin/
US/mˈin/
Silabe și accent
mean (1 silabă)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Forme ale cuvântului
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
Familie de cuvinte
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
Aspecte importante
  • Irregular past: meant Verb
  • Irregular past participle: meant Verb
Expresii

mean business

1
/mˈin bˈɪznɪs/
idiom

be serious and determined

To be serious about what you are doing and want to succeed.

Exemple
  • 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.

Exemple
  • 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.

Exemple
  • 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.

Exemple
  • 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.

Exemple
  • 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.

Exemple
  • This job is by no means easy.
  • He is by no means ready for the exam.

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