Definitions for mean

Definitions for (noun) mean

Main entry: mean, mean value

Definition: an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n


Definitions for (verb) mean

Main entry: intend, think, mean

Definition: have in mind as a purpose

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


Main entry: mean

Definition: destine or designate for a certain purpose

Usage: These flowers were meant for you


Main entry: have in mind, think of, mean

Definition: intend to refer to

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


Main entry: mean, intend, signify, stand for

Definition: denote or connote

Usage: `maison' means `house' in French; An example sentence would show what this word means


Main entry: intend, mean

Definition: mean or intend to express or convey

Usage: You never understand what I mean!; what do his words intend?


Main entry: mean, imply, entail

Definition: have as a logical consequence

Usage: The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers


Main entry: mean

Definition: have a specified degree of importance

Usage: My ex-husband means nothing to me; Happiness means everything


Definitions for (adj) mean

Main entry: bastardly, mean

Definition: of no value or worth

Usage: I was caught in the bastardly traffic


Main entry: beggarly, mean

Definition: (used of sums of money) so small in amount as to deserve contempt


Main entry: mingy, miserly, mean, tight

Definition: (used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity

Usage: a mean person; he left a miserly tip


Main entry: hateful, mean

Definition: characterized by malice

Usage: a hateful thing to do; in a mean mood


Main entry: base, mean, meanspirited

Definition: having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality

Usage: that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble- Edmund Burke; taking a mean advantage; chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort- Shakespeare; something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics


Main entry: mean, average

Definition: approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value

Usage: the average income in New England is below that of the nation; of average height for his age; the mean annual rainfall


Main entry: mean, beggarly

Definition: marked by poverty befitting a beggar

Usage: a beggarly existence in the slums; a mean hut


Main entry: mean

Definition: excellent

Usage: famous for a mean backhand


Visual thesaurus for mean