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- pronunciation:
- min
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
means, meaning, meant |
| definition 1: |
to intend to denote or express.
What do you mean by saying you're not satisfied?When I said "I'm sorry," I meant that I felt sympathy for you.[verb + (that) + clause
]
What do you mean by locking your door?- similar words:
- connote, denote, express, imply, represent, signify
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| definition 2: |
to signal a particular idea or message that can be understood; signify.
The word "tomorrow" means "the day that follows today."Dark clouds often mean that rain is coming soon.- synonyms:
- signify
- similar words:
- connote, denote, designate, express, represent, stand for
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| definition 3: |
to be completely serious and in earnest about (something expressed).
I meant what I said about quitting, and I've already told my boss.[verb + WH/whether/if + clause
]
He always says he hates his sister, but he doesn't really mean it.Did you mean it when you said you want a divorce?[verb + it + when + clause
]
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| definition 4: |
to have in mind as a goal, purpose, or plan; intend.
I meant to give her this letter, but I forgot.[verb + infinitive
]
I mean to leave next week, so I have plenty to do to get ready.[verb + infinitive
]
She has a goal of becoming a doctor, and she fully means to attain it.[verb + infinitive
]
He meant to be kind by offering the poor woman money, but she was insulted by the gesture.[verb + infinitive
]
- synonyms:
- intend
- similar words:
- aim, plan, propose, purpose
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| definition 5: |
to desire and plan for (someone) to do something; intend.
Do you think she meant me to kiss her?[verb + smby/smth + infinitive
]
The murderer meant the police to believe that the house had been broken into.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive
]
- synonyms:
- intend
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| definition 6: |
of a deity or fate, to intend (someone or something) for a particular purpose or end because of possessing special qualities.
He was meant for the priesthood.You were meant to play this role, and it will make you a star![verb + smby/smth + infinitive
]
- synonyms:
- destine, intend
- similar words:
- fate, make
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| definition 7: |
to cause as a result; to have the effect of.
The fire means we'll have to find a new home.[verb + (that) + clause
]
For the children, the divorce meant growing up without their father.[verb + gerund
]
The closing of the factory meant their mother's having to find another job.[verb + possessive adj + gerund
]
- similar words:
- cause
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| related words: |
aim, ensure, import, indicate, involve, portend, signal |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to have a certain (specified) degree of significance or importance.
The letters from home mean a lot to the soldiers.The welfare of their foster child meant little to this selfish couple.- similar words:
- be, represent
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| definition 2: |
to have intentions of a (specified) sort.
He often fails in what he hopes to do for others, but there is no doubt that he means well.I don't think she meant ill by what she did; it was just an accident.- similar words:
- intend, purpose
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| related words: |
amount, import |
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