mean
A1-A2 (very high frequency)All registers, from formal to highly informal, across all senses.
Definition
Meaning
A versatile word with three primary meanings: to intend/signify (verb), unkind/miserly (adjective), and average/middle value (noun/adjective).
The verb can imply importance or consequence. The adjective can describe something excellent (slang) or intermediate in position/status.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Highly polysemous. The three main senses are etymologically distinct but have converged in modern spelling. Context is critical for disambiguation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The informal adjective sense 'excellent' ("That's so mean!") is more common in US English. Usage of the noun 'means' (method, money) is identical.
Connotations
US English slightly favors the 'unkind' sense in informal speech. The 'average' sense is equally technical in both.
Frequency
All senses are extremely common in both varieties. The 'intend/signify' verb is perhaps the most frequent overall.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO (Subject Verb Object) - 'I mean it.'SVO + that-clause - 'She meant that we should wait.'SVO + to-infinitive - 'He didn't mean to hurt you.'SV + (that) - 'This means (that) we're late.'Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “mean business”
- “mean the world to someone”
- “by no means”
- “a means to an end”
- “live beyond one's means”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Noun: 'We need to find the means to finance this project.' Adjective: 'The mean quarterly profit was £50,000.'
Academic
Verb: 'The term 'dialectic' originally meant a method of philosophical debate.' Noun: 'Calculate the arithmetic mean of the data set.'
Everyday
Verb: 'What do you mean?' Adjective: 'Don't be so mean to your brother!'
Technical
Noun (Statistics): 'The population mean (μ) is a key parameter.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I didn't mean to leave the lights on.
- The red flag means the beach is closed.
- What is meant by this clause in the contract?
American English
- What do you mean you lost the keys?
- A green light means go.
- I mean it, don't be late!
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb, usually part of a phrase like 'mean-spirited')
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb, usually part of a phrase like 'mean-spirited')
adjective
British English
- That was a really mean thing to say.
- He's quite mean with his money.
- The mean temperature in July is 18°C.
American English
- She's being mean to the new kid.
- My boss is mean about overtime pay.
- That's a mean guitar solo! (excellent)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Hello' means 'hello'.
- She is not mean; she is very kind.
- The bus is my means of transport.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you.
- He can be mean when he's tired.
- Find the mean of these five numbers.
- The dark clouds mean that a storm is approaching.
- His mean-spirited comments upset everyone.
- They employed every possible means to achieve their goal.
- The data's significance is underpinned by a shift in the population mean.
- Her ostensibly generous offer concealed a mean and calculating intent.
- The poet's laconic style means that much is left to the reader's interpretation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEAN as having three faces: the SPEAKER (intends), the BULLY (unkind), and the MATHEMATICIAN (average).
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A CONTAINER FOR MEANING (verb). CHARACTER IS A SUBSTANCE (adjective - unkind). BALANCE IS THE MIDPOINT (noun - average).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать 'mean' (среднее значение) и 'average' (среднее арифметическое) — в статистике это синонимы, но 'average' чаще в быту.
- Глагол 'mean' часто переводится как 'значить', но это не о ценности, а о значении/смысле. 'It means a lot to me' = 'Это много для меня значит' (эмоциональная ценность).
- 'By all means' = 'конечно, непременно', а не 'всеми средствами' (что было бы 'by any means necessary').
- 'Means' (сущ.) как 'средства' может означать и методы, и деньги.
Common Mistakes
- *'What means this word?' (Correct: 'What does this word mean?')
- Confusing 'mean' and 'meant' in past tense. 'He mean it' is incorrect.
- Using the adjective for people ('a mean person') to describe things, which is unusual unless personifying.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'He's got a mean fastball,' what does 'mean' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both, and also an adjective. It has three common parts of speech, each with distinct meanings.
In mathematics and statistics, they are often synonyms (arithmetic mean). In everyday language, 'average' is more common for the mathematical concept, while 'mean' can sound more technical.
Here, 'means' is a singular noun (despite the 's') meaning 'a method or instrument'. You say: 'Bicycles are a popular means of transport.'
It's a discourse marker used to clarify, correct, or emphasize what you're about to say. For example: 'I mean, we could try, but it's risky.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Common Questions
A1 · 31 words · Question words and phrases for basic communication.