📒 to have something as a meaning in the same or another language
- mean something What does this sentence mean?
- What does ‘lark’ mean?
- The word ‘Kuching’ means ‘cat’ in Malay.
📒 to have something as a meaning; to represent something
- mean something by something What do we mean by democracy?
- mean something to somebody Does the name ‘Jos Vos’ mean anything to you (= do you know who he is)?
- mean (that)… The flashing light means (that) you must stop.
📒 to intend to say something on a particular occasion
- mean something by something What did he mean by that remark?
- mean something ‘Perhaps we should try another approach.’ ‘What do you mean? (= I don't understand what you are suggesting.)’
- ‘What's that supposed to mean?’ demanded John.
📒 to have something as a purpose or intention
- mean something What did she mean by leaving so early (= why did she do it)?
- Don't laugh! I mean it (= I am serious).
- He means trouble (= to cause trouble).
📒 to have something as a result or a likely result
- mean something Spending too much now will mean a shortage of cash next year.
- Being frugal doesn't necessarily mean doing without.
- Lower energy consumption means less pollution.
📒 to be of value or importance to somebody
- Your friendship means a great deal to me.
- $20 means a lot (= represents a lot of money) when you live on $100 a week.
- Money means nothing to him.
📒 to intend somebody to be or do something
- be meant for something/somebody I was never meant for the army (= did not have the qualities needed to become a soldier).
- Duncan and Makiko were meant for each other (= are very suitable as partners).
- mean somebody/something to be something His father meant him to be an engineer.
📒 to be generally considered to be something
- This restaurant is meant to be excellent.
📒 used to explain or correct what you have just said
- It was so boring—I mean, nothing happened for the first hour!
- She's English—Scottish, I mean.
📒 to be serious in your intentions
- He has the look of a man who means business.
- He says he's going to make changes, and I think he means business.
📒 to not have any intention of hurting somebody
📒 used to emphasize what you are saying or to ask somebody if they really mean what they say
- I mean to say, you should have known how he would react!
- Do you mean to say you've lost it?
📒 to have good intentions, although their effect may not be good