mean
meen
Mean (verb) means to intend or have in mind as a purpose. Example: “I didn't mean to interrupt you.”
verb
1
To intend or have in mind as a purpose.
"I didn't mean to interrupt you."
"She means to finish the project by Friday."
"I never meant to hurt your feelings with that joke."
2
To convey a particular sense or significance; to signify.
"What does this symbol mean?"
"A red light means stop."
"The word 'rarely' means not very often."
adj
1
Unkind, unpleasant, or deliberately hurtful in behavior.
"It was mean of him to laugh at her mistake."
"The kids at school were mean to the new student."
"Don't be mean to your little brother just because he lost."
2
Stingy or ungenerous with money or resources.
"He's too mean to leave a decent tip."
"My uncle is so mean that he reuses tea bags."
"They were too mean to buy their own children a birthday cake."
noun
1
A method or resource used to achieve a result (usually used in the plural, "means").
"Email is a fast means of communication."
"Walking is a cheap means of getting around the town."
"The company found a new means of reaching its customers."
2
In mathematics and statistics, the average value of a set of numbers.
"The mean of 2, 4, and 6 is 4."
"To find the mean, add the numbers together and divide by how many there are."
"The mean of the test scores was higher than the teacher expected."
How to use mean
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan describe intending something, what a word signifies, being unkind or stingy, or the mathematical average of a set of numbers.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the "unkind" sense with "mean" as in average — context makes it clear, but learners sometimes mix up "the mean score" (average) with "a mean score" (an unkind one).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
mean to someone
mean well
mean average
by no means
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Word forms
- Plural
- means
- Third person singular
- means
- Past tense
- meant
- Comparative
- meaner
- Superlative
- meanest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I didn't _____ to interrupt you.
Etymology
From Old English mǣnan ("to intend, complain"), related to the word "moan".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for mean
See all rhymes for mean →Frequently asked questions
What does “mean” mean?
The word “mean” means to intend or have in mind as a purpose. In plain terms, can describe intending something, what a word signifies, being unkind or stingy, or the mathematical average of a set of numbers.
How do you pronounce “mean”?
“Mean” is pronounced meen (/min/ in IPA).
How do you use “mean” in a sentence?
Here is “mean” used in a sentence: “I didn't mean to interrupt you.”
What is another word for “mean”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mean” include inconsiderate, insensitive, halfhearted, mean-spirited, merciless and petty.
What is the opposite of “mean”?
The opposite of “mean” — its antonyms — are compassionate, kindly and nice.
What part of speech is “mean”?
Depending on how it is used, “mean” can be a verb, an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “mean” come from?
The word “mean” comes from Old English. From Old English mǣnan ("to intend, complain"), related to the word "moan".
Is “mean” a common word?
“Mean” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'mean' and 'intend'?
Both express purpose, but 'mean' is more everyday and conversational, while 'intend' sounds more deliberate and formal. 'Mean' often appears when outcomes go astray, as in 'I didn't mean to break it,' whereas 'intend' stresses a planned aim: 'we intend to expand.' In many sentences they swap freely.
Does 'mean' always refer to intention?
No. In this sense it means 'to intend,' but 'mean' also signifies 'to denote', as in 'red means stop.' As an adjective it can describe someone unkind, or in maths refer to the average. The word's sense depends entirely on how it is used.
What is the past tense of 'mean'?
The past tense and past participle are both 'meant,' spelled m-e-a-n-t and rhyming with 'went.' So you say 'I meant to help,' not 'meaned.' It is an irregular verb, which is why the spelling and pronunciation change from the base form.
What is an example of 'mean' as intend?
You might say 'I meant to call you back' or 'She didn't mean to cause offence.' Both use 'mean' to describe what someone had in mind as a purpose. The phrase 'mean to' is the everyday way English speakers express intention, especially about unfulfilled or mistaken actions.
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