mean
mean /ˈmiːn/
adjective
-
(
)
(statistics) approximating the statistical norm, average or expected value
(
mean
, average
)
(statistics) approximating the statistical norm, average or expected value
The average income in New England is below that of the nation
the average income in New England is below that of the nation
Of average height for his age
of average height for his age
The mean annual rainfall
the mean annual rainfall
-
()
Characterized by malice
(
hateful
, mean
)
characterized by malice
A hateful thing to do
a hateful thing to do
In a mean mood
in a mean mood
-
()
Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality
(
base
, meanspirited
, mean
)
having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality
That liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble
that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble
Taking a mean advantage
taking a mean advantage
Chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort
chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort
Something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics
something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics
-
Of no value or worth
(
bastardly
, mean
)
of no value or worth
I was caught in the bastardly traffic
I was caught in the bastardly traffic
-
(used of sums of money) so small in amount as to deserve contempt
(
beggarly
, mean
)
(used of sums of money) so small in amount as to deserve contempt
-
(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
(
mean
, mingy
, miserly
, tight
)
(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
A mean person
a mean person
He left a miserly tip
he left a miserly tip
-
Marked by poverty befitting a beggar
(
beggarly
, mean
)
marked by poverty befitting a beggar
A beggarly existence in the slums
a beggarly existence in the slums
A mean hut
a mean hut
-
Excellent
(
mean
)
excellent
Famous for a mean backhand
famous for a mean backhand
noun
-
()
(statistics) an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n
(
mean value
, mean
)
(statistics) an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n
verb
-
()
Mean or intend to express or convey
(
intend
, mean
)
mean or intend to express or convey
You never understand what I mean!
You never understand what I mean!
What do his words intend?
what do his words intend?
-
()
Have as a logical consequence
(
imply
, entail
, mean
)
have as a logical consequence
The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
-
()
Denote or connote
(
intend
, stand for
, signify
, mean
)
denote or connote
Maison' means house' in French
maison' means house' in French
An example sentence would show what this word means
An example sentence would show what this word means
-
()
Have in mind as a purpose
(
think
, mean
, intend
)
have in mind as a purpose
I mean no harm
I mean no harm
I only meant to help you
I only meant to help you
She didn't think to harm me
She didn't think to harm me
We thought to return early that night
We thought to return early that night
-
()
Have a specified degree of importance
(
mean
)
have a specified degree of importance
My ex-husband means nothing to me
My ex-husband means nothing to me
Happiness means everything
Happiness means everything
-
()
Intend to refer to
(
have in mind
, mean
, think of
)
intend to refer to
I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France
I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France
Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!
Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!
-
Destine or designate for a certain purpose
(
mean
)
destine or designate for a certain purpose
These flowers were meant for you
These flowers were meant for you
