mean
mean — verb
1. to have a particular idea, fact, or thing as the message you are trying to expre
to have a particular idea, fact, or thing as the message you are trying to express when you say or write a word, sign, or statement — for example, the word "big" means "large in size".
The word "astronaut" means someone who travels into space.
mean + noun phrase for word definitions
Reuben said he was sorry, but his tone meant he was not sorry at all.
mean + that-clause for hidden message
What does the red light on the dashboard mean?
The symbol in the corner means that this item is recyclable.
Heloísa asked what the email meant, because the reply was not clear.
文法句型
mean + noun phrase
mean + that-clause
mean + wh-clause
用法筆記
Frequently used with what in questions ("What does X mean?") or with that-clauses to explain the implication behind words or actions.
常見錯誤
2. to say something with complete honesty, especially when you want someone to beli
to say something with complete honesty, especially when you want someone to believe that you really feel strongly about it.
Lakan told Noa he was sorry, and this time he really meant it.
mean it — sincerity after apology
When Salma said the food was terrible, she meant every word.
meant every word — full sincerity
I do not think Yasmin meant what she said about quitting her job.
Greta promised to help with the event, and she meant it.
The manager said the deadline was final, and he clearly meant it.
- be serious
more conversational equivalent; 'Are you serious?' vs 'Do you mean it?'
- joke
to say something without meaning it seriously
文法句型
mean + it
mean + what you say
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'it' as the object ('I mean it') or in the phrase 'mean what you say'. 'Mean it' cannot take a that-clause.
常見錯誤
3. to have something as a result or necessary cause — for example, if a flight is c
to have something as a result or necessary cause — for example, if a flight is cancelled, that means you cannot travel.
The train strike means that thousands of people will be late for work.
mean + that-clause for result
If the power goes out, it means the food in the fridge will go bad.
Failing this exam means repeating the whole course next semester.
Higher temperatures mean more water evaporates from the lake each summer.
Christopher missed the last bus, which meant he had to walk home.
文法句型
mean + noun phrase
mean + that-clause
mean + -ing form
用法筆記
Common in condition-consequence sentences ('If X, it means Y'). The gerund pattern ('mean + -ing') is only used in this sense, not with the INTEND or HAVE AS MEANING senses.
常見錯誤
4. to have something as a plan or purpose in your mind, especially when you are det
to have something as a plan or purpose in your mind, especially when you are determined to do it.
Ishaan meant to call his mother, but he forgot until it was too late.
meant + to-infinitive for unfulfilled plan
Anya meant to apologise to Reuben, but the right moment never came.
I did not mean to break your glasses — it was an accident.
The teacher meant the slower students to get extra help with the homework.
Matthew did not mean to hurt Haruto's feelings when he made that joke.
文法句型
mean + to-infinitive
mean + object + to-infinitive
用法筆記
The past tense 'meant to' often describes a plan that did not happen. 'Mean + object + to-infinitive' ('I meant you to see this') is less common but acceptable in formal and written English.
常見錯誤
5. to be designed or intended by someone to function or be used in a particular way
to be designed or intended by someone to function or be used in a particular way, especially in the passive form 'be meant to'.
This textbook is meant for students who already speak basic English.
be meant + for + purpose group
The new park was meant to give children a safe place to play outdoors.
be meant + to-infinitive — intended purpose
The notice on the door is meant to warn visitors about the wet floor.
Those seats are meant for elderly passengers and pregnant women.
The meeting was meant to start at nine, but nobody arrived on time.
- be intended to
a bit more formal than 'be meant to'; 'This course is intended for beginners'
- be designed to
suggests careful planning or engineering behind the purpose
文法句型
be meant + to-infinitive
be meant + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice ('be meant to'). The active form 'I mean this for you' is rare in modern English. Distinguish from sense 4 (INTEND): sense 4 describes someone's personal plan; sense 5 describes the intended function of a thing or arrangement.
常見錯誤
6. to be important in an emotional or personal way to someone — for example, a gift
to be important in an emotional or personal way to someone — for example, a gift from a close friend means a lot because of the friendship behind it.
The watch from his grandfather meant a lot to Rodrigo after the old man passed away.
meant a lot to + person — emotional importance
Adisa told Greta that her support during his illness meant everything to him.
meant everything to + person — highest emotional value
A simple thank-you note from a student can mean the world to a teacher.
Salma said the award did not mean much to her compared to her family's pride.
To the villagers, the old temple meant more than just a building — it was their history.
- matter
similar emotional weight but more general; 'Your opinion matters to me'
- be unimportant
direct opposite; 'This detail is unimportant to me'
文法句型
mean + a lot/much/everything + to + person
用法筆記
Almost always used with an adverb of degree ('a lot', 'much', 'everything', 'the world') followed by 'to + person'. Cannot be used with a that-clause or to-infinitive.
常見錯誤
mean — adjective
1. not willing to spend money or share what you have with others, especially when y
not willing to spend money or share what you have with others, especially when you have enough for yourself.
The landlord was so mean that he refused to fix the broken heater all winter.
mean about repairing / mean with money — stingy landlord
Arjun's uncle is notoriously mean and always orders the cheapest dish when eating out.
It was mean of the company to give only a one percent salary raise after a record year.
The school cafeteria serves mean portions that leave the students still hungry.
Christopher is not mean; he just prefers to save his money for important things.
用法筆記
Common with 'with' ('mean with money') or 'about' ('mean about sharing'). Can describe both people ('a mean boss') and the things they give ('a mean tip').
常見錯誤
2. behaving in a cruel, unpleasant, or hurtful way towards other people on purpose.
behaving in a cruel, unpleasant, or hurtful way towards other people on purpose.
It was mean of the older boys to laugh at Femi when he fell off his bike.
it + be + mean + of — judging unkind behaviour
The children at school said some very mean things about Iris's new haircut.
mean things — collocation for hurtful remarks
Why do you have to be so mean to your little sister all the time?
Haruto did not understand why his friend turned so mean after the argument.
Yasmin felt hurt by the mean comments posted on her art project online.
用法筆記
The pattern 'it + be + mean + of + person + to-infinitive' ('It was mean of them to say that') is common. Also used with 'to' ('mean to someone').
常見錯誤
3. having a frightening and dangerous appearance or manner that makes you think the
having a frightening and dangerous appearance or manner that makes you think the person might become physically violent.
The movie had a mean-looking guard at the gate who scared the visitors away.
mean-looking — compound adjective
A mean dog stood at the end of the driveway, barking at anyone who came near.
mean dog — dangerous and frightening animal
Rodrigo has a mean stare that makes people nervous during meetings.
The streets were dark and empty, and a mean wind howled through the broken windows.
Noa gave the intruder a mean look, and the man stepped back immediately.
- gentle
soft and calm, the opposite of threatening
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with 'fierce' or 'dangerous' rather than 'unkind'. It often describes animals, facial expressions, or forces of nature. Distinguish from sense 2 (UNKIND): sense 3 implies physical threat, not just emotional hurt.
常見錯誤
4. extremely good, impressive, or skilled at doing something — used informally to e
extremely good, impressive, or skilled at doing something — used informally to express strong approval.
William makes a mean chocolate cake that everyone asks for at parties.
mean + noun — skilled at making something
The little jazz band down the street plays a mean version of that old song.
mean version — impressive musical performance
Greta can throw a mean curveball, which is why she is the team's best pitcher.
That food truck serves a mean bowl of ramen with pork and soft-boiled eggs.
Grandma can still play a mean game of chess even at eighty-five years old.
用法筆記
Almost always used in the pattern 'a mean + noun' (a mean burger, a mean guitar). Cannot be used as a predicate adjective ('This burger is mean' is not idiomatic). This is informal American slang.
常見錯誤
5. of poor or shabby condition, especially in terms of appearance, cleanliness, or
of poor or shabby condition, especially in terms of appearance, cleanliness, or social standing.
The hero grew up in a mean little house with no running water or electricity.
mean little house — poor and shabby dwelling
The travelers stayed in a mean hotel near the station where the sheets had holes.
The market sold meat in a mean back room full of old boxes and dust.
Élise could not believe anyone actually lived in such mean conditions.
The alley behind the restaurant was mean and dark, filled with rubbish bins.
用法筆記
This is a literary or old-fashioned sense. In modern conversation, 'run-down', 'shabby', or 'dingy' are more common. It often describes a person's living conditions or the quality of a place.
常見錯誤
6. calculated as an average — the result you get by adding numbers together and div
calculated as an average — the result you get by adding numbers together and dividing the total by the number of items.
The mean temperature in Taipei during July is around thirty degrees Celsius.
mean + temperature — mathematical average
Caleb calculated the mean score of all his test results for the semester.
The mean height of the basketball team is one hundred and eighty-five centimetres.
Economists study the mean income of families in each region of the country.
The teacher explained the difference between the mean, median, and mode.
- average
more common in everyday English; 'the average score'
- median
a different type of average — the middle number in a sorted list
- arithmetic mean
the full technical term
用法筆記
Used mainly in statistics and mathematics. In everyday English, 'average' is far more common than 'mean'. 'Mean' is the technical term in formal contexts. The noun form 'the mean' (see noun sense 1) is more frequent than the adjective.
常見錯誤
7. showing a lack of moral values or honour; willing to behave in a selfish or dish
showing a lack of moral values or honour; willing to behave in a selfish or dishonest way without feeling ashamed.
The novel tells the story of a mean and grasping merchant who cheats his customers.
mean + grasping — dishonest and greedy behaviour
The historian described the dictator as a mean and petty tyrant with no real principles.
It was a mean trick to pretend the prize did not exist just to watch people suffer.
In Shakespeare's play, Iago is a mean figure driven by jealousy and spite.
The journalist exposed the mean motives behind the charity's supposed generosity.
- contemptible
worthy of contempt; stronger disapproval than 'mean'
- base
formal; lacking moral principles; 'base motives'
- despicable
very strong; deserving hatred or disgust
- noble
having high moral qualities; 'a noble cause'
- honourable
deserving respect and admiration
用法筆記
This sense is formal and somewhat old-fashioned. In modern English, 'petty', 'contemptible', or 'base' are more common. It usually describes a person's character or actions, not their appearance.
常見錯誤
mean — noun
1. a single value calculated from a set of numbers by adding them all up and splitt
a single value calculated from a set of numbers by adding them all up and splitting the total equally across the number of items.
The mean of eight, ten, and twelve is ten because thirty divided by three equals ten.
the mean of — arithmetic average calculation
Lakan calculated the mean of his exam scores to see if he passed the course.
The mean age of the team members is twenty-three, making them one of the youngest teams.
Rainfall data from the past ten years gives a mean of one hundred millimetres per month.
The professor showed how outliers can distort the mean of a set of data.
- average
more common in everyday English; 'the average of the scores'
- arithmetic mean
the full technical term for this type of average
用法筆記
Often used in the phrase 'the mean of + set'. In everyday English, 'average' is more common. 'Mean' is preferred in formal statistics and academic writing.
常見錯誤
2. a state or approach that avoids the extremes by sitting at a balanced point betw
a state or approach that avoids the extremes by sitting at a balanced point between two opposite possibilities.
In parenting, it is wise to find the mean between being too strict and too permissive.
the mean between — balance between extremes
The philosopher argued that virtue lies in the mean between excess and deficiency.
A good diet is a mean between eating too much and eating too little.
The manager tried to strike a mean between cutting costs and keeping staff happy.
In architecture, the goal is often a mean between beauty and practicality.
- middle ground
more common in everyday English; 'a middle ground between two opinions'
- happy medium
informal; a satisfactory compromise between extremes
- golden mean
philosophical term from Aristotle; the desirable middle between extremes
- extreme
the opposite of moderation; at one end of the scale
用法筆記
This is a formal or philosophical sense, often used in discussions of ethics, moderation, or balance. The phrase 'the golden mean' (from Aristotle's philosophy) is a related fixed expression. In modern English, 'middle ground' or 'compromise' is more common.