26984 words

meaner

29 definitions • 53 examples
1
to express or represent something such as an idea, thought, or fact:

Examples:

What does this word mean?
[ + that ] These figures mean that almost six percent of the working population is unemployed.
mean by What do you mean by that remark?
She's kind of strange though. Do you know what I mean?
"They all showed up." "You mean the entire family?"
2
used to add emphasis to what you are saying:

Examples:

and I mean I want you home by midnight. And I mean midnight.
mean it Give it back now! I mean it.
3
to have a particular result:

Examples:

[ + that ] Advances in electronics mean that the technology is already available.
[ + -ing verb ] If we want to catch the 7.30 train, that will mean leaving the house at 6.00.
4
to intend:

Examples:

mean any harm I'm sorry if I offended you - I didn't mean any harm.
be meant for The books with large print are meant for partially sighted readers.
[ + to infinitive ] I've been meaning to call you all week.
mean to Do you think she meant to say 9 a.m. instead of 9 p.m.?
mean for someone to do something They didn't mean for her to read the letter.
5
to be intended to:

Examples:

These batteries are meant to last for a year.
6
to have an important emotional effect on someone:

Examples:

mean a lot, nothing, something, etc. to It wasn't a valuable picture but it meant a lot to me.
mean nothing to Possessions mean nothing to him.
7
not willing to give or share things, especially money:

Examples:

He's too mean to buy her a ring.
mean with My landlord's very mean with the heating - it's only on for two hours each day.
8

Examples:

mean to Stop being so mean to me!
She just said it to be mean.
9

Examples:

a mean and angry mob
a mean-looking youth
10
very good:

Examples:

She's a mean piano player.
She plays a mean piano (= she plays very well).
11
poor, dirty, and of bad quality:

Examples:

He was living in a mean little hut.
12
a mean number is an average number:

Examples:

a mean value
Their mean weight was 76.4 kilos.
13
the result you get by adding two or more amounts together and dividing the total by the number of amounts:

Examples:

the mean of The mean of 5, 4, 10, and 15 is 8.5.
14
a quality or way of doing something that is in the middle of two completely different qualities or ways of doing something:

Examples:

a mean between We need to find a mean between test questions that are too difficult and those that are too easy.
15
to represent or express something intended, or to refer to someone or something:

Examples:

"What does ’rough’ mean?" "It means ’not smooth.’"
[ + that clause ] These figures mean that almost 7% of the population is unemployed.
"Do you see that girl over there?" "Do you mean the one with short blond hair?"
16
to have as a result:

Examples:

[ + (that) clause ] If she doesn’t answer the phone, it means (that) she’s out in the garden.
17
to have the importance or value of:

Examples:

My grandmother’s ring wasn’t valuable, but it meant a lot to me.
18
to say or do something intentionally; intend:

Examples:

[ T ] I think she meant 8 o’clock, although she said 7 o’clock.
[ I ] I’ve been meaning to call you but I’ve been so busy I never got around to it.
19
Mean can also be used to add emphasis to what you are saying:

Examples:

[ T ] She means what she says.
20
a number that is the result of adding a group of numbers together and then dividing the result by how many numbers were in the group
21
unkind or not caring:

Examples:

I felt a little mean when I said I couldn’t visit her in the hospital until Saturday.
22
very good:

Examples:

She plays a mean bass fiddle.
23
the result you get by adding two or more amounts together and dividing the total by the number of amounts:

Examples:

The mean of 5, 4, 10, and 15 is 8.5.
24
a quality or way of doing something that is in the middle of two completely different qualities or ways of doing something:

Examples:

a mean between sth and sth This description doesn't give enough information, and this one is too long – we need to find a mean between the two.
25
to express or represent something such as an idea, thought, or fact:

Examples:

What does this word mean?
mean sth by sth What do you mean by 'rightsizing the department'?
26
to have a particular result:

Examples:

mean (that) Advances in electronics mean that the technology is already available.
mean doing sth If we increased our workforce, that would mean finding larger premises.
27
a mean number is the result you get by adding two or more amounts together and dividing the total by the number of amounts:

Examples:

The mean weight of the crates is 76.4 kilos.
The table above shows the mean price per dozen of large grade A eggs.
28

Examples:

be mean to sb If she's ever mean to staff, she always apologizes afterwards.
29
not generous:

Examples:

be mean with sth My boss is well known for being mean with money.

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