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mean - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'mean' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Mean [ a.]
- Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway between extremes.
- Intermediate in excellence of any kind.
- Average; having an intermediate value between two extremes, or between the several successive values of a variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean distance; mean motion; mean solar day.
2 . Mean [ n.]
- That which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes of place, time, or number; the middle point or place; middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of extremes or excess; moderation; measure.
- A quantity having an intermediate value between several others, from which it is derived, and of which it expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the quantities together and dividing by their number, which is called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the square root of the product of the quantities.
- That through which, or by the help of which, an end is attained; something tending to an object desired; intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or coagent; instrument.
- Hence: Resources; property, revenue, or the like, considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose; disposable force or substance.
- A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between the soprano and base; a middle part.
- Meantime; meanwhile.
- A mediator; a go-between.
3 . Mean [ superl.]
- Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar; humble.
- Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
- Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible; despicable.
- Of poor quality; as, mean fare.
- Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean hospitality.
4 . Mean [ v. i.]
- To have a purpose or intention.
5 . Mean [ v. t.]
- To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do ?
- To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote.

Meaning of 'mean' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . mean [ v]
Meaning (1):
- denote or connote
Example in sentence:
  • An example sentence would show what this word means;
  • `maison' means `house' in French
Meaning (2):
- have a specified degree of importance
Example in sentence:
  • Happiness means everything;
  • My ex-husband means nothing to me
Meaning (3):
- have in mind as a purpose
Example in sentence:
  • I mean no harm;
  • I only meant to help you;
  • She didn't think to harm me;
  • We thought to return early that night
Meaning (4):
- intend to refer to
Example in sentence:
  • I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France;
  • Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!
Meaning (5):
- have as a logical consequence
Example in sentence:
  • The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
Meaning (6):
- destine or designate for a certain purpose
Example in sentence:
  • These flowers were meant for you
Meaning (7):
- mean or intend to express or convey
Example in sentence:
  • what do his words intend?;
  • You never understand what I mean!
8 . mean [ s]
Meaning (8):
- marked by poverty befitting a beggar
Example in sentence:
  • a beggarly existence in the slums;
  • a mean hut
Meaning (9):
- characterized by malice
Example in sentence:
  • a hateful thing to do;
  • in a mean mood
Meaning (10):
- (used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
Example in sentence:
  • a mean person;
  • he left a miserly tip
Meaning (11):
- having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality
Example in sentence:
  • chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort;
  • something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics;
  • taking a mean advantage;
  • that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble
Meaning (12):
- excellent
Example in sentence:
  • famous for a mean backhand
Meaning (13):
- of no value or worth
Example in sentence:
  • I was caught in the bastardly traffic
Meaning (14):
- approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
Example in sentence:
  • of average height for his age;
  • the average income in New England is below that of the nation;
  • the mean annual rainfall

Nearby Words:

meach meacock mead meadow meadowsweet meadowwort meadowy meager meagerly meagerness

See 'mean' also in:

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