English dictionary



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English adjective: mean

1. mean approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value


SamplesThe average income in New England is below that of the nation.
Of average height for his age.
The mean annual rainfall.


Synonymsaverage


Similarnormal


Domain categorystatistics


Antonymsabnormal, unnatural

2. mean characterized by malice


SamplesA hateful thing to do.
In a mean mood.


Synonymshateful


Similarawful, nasty


Antonymsnice

3. mean having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality


SamplesThat liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble.
Taking a mean advantage.
Chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort.
Something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics.


Synonymsbase, meanspirited


Similarignoble


Antonymsnoble

4. mean excellent


SamplesFamous for a mean backhand.


Similarskilled


Domain usageargot, cant, jargon, lingo, patois, slang, vernacular


Antonymsunskilled

5. mean marked by poverty befitting a beggar


SamplesA beggarly existence in the slums.
A mean hut.


Synonymsbeggarly


Similarpoor


Antonymsrich

6. mean (used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity


SamplesA mean person.
He left a miserly tip.


Synonymsmingy, miserly, tight


Similarstingy, ungenerous


Antonymsgenerous

7. mean (used of sums of money) so small in amount as to deserve contempt


Synonymsbeggarly


Similarstingy, ungenerous


Antonymsgenerous

8. mean of no value or worth


SamplesI was caught in the bastardly traffic.


Synonymsbastardly


Similarcontemptible


Antonymsestimable


English noun: mean

1. mean (cognition) an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n


Synonymsmean value


Broader (hypernym)average, norm


Narrower (hyponym)arithmetic mean, expectation, expected value, first moment, geometric mean, harmonic mean


Domain categorystatistics


English verb: mean

1. mean (communication) mean or intend to express or convey


SamplesYou never understand what I mean!.
What do his words intend?.


Synonymsintend


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)convey


Narrower (hyponym)aim, aim, drive, get, import, represent, signify, spell, stand for, symbolise, symbolize, typify

2. mean (stative) have as a logical consequence


SamplesThe water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers.


Synonymsentail, imply


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)necessitate

3. mean (communication) denote or connote


Samples`maison' means `house' in French.
An example sentence would show what this word means.


Synonymsintend, signify, stand for


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)denote, refer


Verb groupsignify

4. mean (cognition) have in mind as a purpose


SamplesI mean no harm.
I only meant to help you.
She didn't think to harm me.
We thought to return early that night.


ExamplesThey mean to move


Synonymsintend, think


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE


Narrower (hyponym)aim, be after, design, plan, propose, purport, purpose

5. mean (stative) have a specified degree of importance


SamplesMy ex-husband means nothing to me.
Happiness means everything.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something

6. mean (cognition) intend to refer to


SamplesI'm thinking of good food when I talk about France.
Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!.


Synonymshave in mind, think of


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)associate, colligate, connect, link, link up, relate, tie in


Narrower (hyponym)advert, bring up, cite, mention, name, refer

7. mean (cognition) destine or designate for a certain purpose


SamplesThese flowers were meant for you.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something PP


Broader (hypernym)designate, destine, intend, specify









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