Verb Adjective Noun A2 — Elementary /miːn/

Mean — Definition, Examples & Usage

One of the most versatile words in English — it can signify, intend, describe unkindness, or calculate an average.

Quick Definition

Mean (verb): to have a particular sense or signification; to intend to do something.

Mean (adjective): unkind, cruel, or ungenerous towards others.

Mean (noun): a middle value; the arithmetic average of a set of numbers.

What Does Mean Mean?

Mean is one of the most frequently used words in English and one of the trickiest, because it works as three different parts of speech with entirely unrelated senses. Understanding each sense separately is the key to using the word with confidence.

As a verb, mean descends from Old English mænan — to intend, to signify — related to Old High German meinen. It is a stative verb, which means it is almost never used in continuous tenses: you say "What does this word mean?" not "What is this word meaning?" The past tense and past participle are both meant (irregular).

As an adjective, mean developed from a different Old English root, gemæne, originally meaning "held in common" or "ordinary". Over centuries it shifted to imply "of low quality", then "ungenerous", and finally "unkind or cruel" — the dominant sense in modern British and American English. In British English mean can also mean stingy with money.

As a noun, mean entered English via Old French moyen from Latin medianus (middle). In mathematics and statistics it refers to the arithmetic average, calculated by dividing the sum of a set of values by the number of values. The related phrase by means of (using the method of) comes from the plural noun means.

Example Sentences

SentenceLevel & usage note
What does this word mean? A2 — verb, asking for a definition
I didn't mean to break the cup — it was an accident. B1 — verb + infinitive, expressing unintentional action
Don't be so mean to your sister; she's only trying to help. B1 — adjective, unkind behaviour
What does this idiom mean in everyday conversation? B2 — verb, asking about figurative meaning in context
The arithmetic mean of the test scores revealed a significant gap between the top and bottom groups. C1 — noun, statistical/academic register

Collocations

CollocationExample
mean wellShe means well, even if her comments are sometimes clumsy.
mean businessWhen the manager spoke in that tone, everyone knew she meant business.
mean a lotYour support means a lot to me during this difficult time.
mean to doI meant to reply to your email but completely forgot.
mean (adjective) trickHiding someone's keys is a mean trick to play on a colleague.
arithmetic meanCalculate the arithmetic mean by dividing the total by the number of values.
by means ofThe message was sent by means of an encrypted channel.
by no meansThe project is by no means finished — there is still a great deal to do.
mean streetsGrowing up on the mean streets of a deprived city shaped his outlook on life.
mean featRunning a marathon is no mean feat for a first-time competitor.

Usage Notes

Stative verb: When mean is used to signify or express intention, it is a stative verb and is not normally used in continuous tenses. Say "This sign means danger" not "This sign is meaning danger."

Mean + infinitive vs mean + gerund: In formal or literary English, "This change means working longer hours" (mean + gerund = involve or result in) is different from "I mean to work longer hours" (mean + infinitive = intend). Both are correct but express different ideas.

No mean feat: The fixed phrase "no mean feat" (or "no mean achievement") is a British English idiom meaning something that requires considerable skill or effort. Despite containing the adjective mean, it is a compliment, not a criticism.

Means (plural noun): The noun means in the sense of "a method or resource" is always plural in form but can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether it refers to one method or several: "The means justifies the end" / "All available means have been explored."

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

I meaned to call you yesterday.

I meant to call you yesterday. (meant is the correct irregular past tense)

What is this sentence meaning?

What does this sentence mean? (mean as a stative verb does not take the continuous form)

She is very mean because she helped us so much.

She was very kind because she helped us so much. (mean = unkind; do not confuse with kind or generous)

Calculate the mean by adding all numbers.

Calculate the mean by adding all numbers and dividing by the count. (the mean requires division, not just addition)

Related Words

meaning meant meaningful meaningless means meanly meanness median average imply signify

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms (verb — to signify):

signifydenoteindicaterepresentimply

Synonyms (adjective — unkind):

unkindcruelnastyspitefulstingy

Antonyms (adjective):

kindgenerouscaringgentle

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “mean”

What does the word mean mean?
Mean has three main uses in English. As a verb it means to signify or to have a particular sense: 'What does this word mean?' It also means to intend: 'I didn't mean to upset you.' As an adjective it means unkind or ungenerous: 'That was a mean thing to say.' As a noun in maths and statistics, the mean is the average value of a set of numbers.
What is the difference between mean and meaning?
Mean is the verb: 'What does it mean?' Meaning is the noun: 'What is the meaning of this word?' Both come from the same Old English root but function differently. You cannot say 'What is the mean of this word?' in a linguistic context — that would refer to the mathematical average.
How do you use mean as a verb in English?
Use mean followed by a noun phrase to express signification: 'Red means stop.' Use mean followed by a to-infinitive to express intention: 'I mean to finish this today.' Use mean followed by a that-clause to explain: 'This means that you have passed.' Note that mean in this sense is not used in the continuous tense — say 'What does it mean?' not 'What is it meaning?'
What does it mean to call someone mean?
When mean is used as an adjective to describe a person, it means they are unkind, cruel, or ungenerous. For example: 'Don't be mean to your little brother.' In American English mean can also suggest aggressive or intimidating behaviour. In British English the adjective mean can additionally mean stingy or unwilling to spend money.
What is the mean in maths?
In mathematics, the mean (also called the arithmetic mean) is the average of a set of numbers. You calculate it by adding all the values together and dividing by the number of values. For example, the mean of 4, 6, and 8 is (4+6+8)÷3 = 6. The mean is one of three averages alongside the median and the mode.
Is mean a regular or irregular verb?
Mean is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle are both meant (not 'meaned'). For example: 'I meant to call you yesterday.' 'I didn't mean it.' This is a very common spelling mistake, especially for learners whose first language uses regular verb patterns.
What is the difference between mean and means?
Mean is used with I, you, we, they and plural subjects: 'They mean well.' Means is the third-person singular form used with he, she, it: 'She means business.' Means is also a separate noun meaning a method or way of achieving something: 'Hard work is the best means of success.' The plural noun means can take a singular or plural verb depending on context.
What does 'mean well' mean in English?
To mean well is a fixed phrase meaning to have good intentions, even if the result is not always helpful. For example: 'She means well, but her advice isn't always useful.' It is often used to excuse someone's unhelpful behaviour by acknowledging their good intentions.
What is the etymology of the word mean?
The verb mean comes from Old English 'mænan', meaning to intend or to signify, which is related to Old High German 'meinen'. The adjective mean (unkind) developed from a different Old English word 'gemæne', meaning common or shared, which later came to suggest low quality or inferiority. The noun mean (average) came into English via Old French 'moyen' from Latin 'medianus', meaning middle.
How can I practise the word mean in English?
Because mean has three distinct parts of speech, the best approach is to practise each one separately. Use LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to see mean in a variety of contexts, and the Flash Cards tool to reinforce the verb forms (mean, means, meant, meaning). Pay special attention to the irregular past tense 'meant', which is frequently misspelt by learners at all levels.