means (B2)

verb

Pronunciation: /miːnz/

Definition

To have as a purpose or intention; to intend to convey, indicate, or understand something.

Examples

• What does this symbol mean?

• I didn't mean to offend you.

• She means to finish the project by Friday.

How to Use means

mean to do something (prepositional phrase)

To intend to do something. — "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

mean that (collocation)

To have something as a purpose or intention. — "This means that we have to start over."

mean something (collocation)

To have a particular significance or meaning. — "What does this word mean?"

mean by (prepositional phrase)

To ask about the definition or intention of something. — "What do you mean by that comment?"

Synonyms of means

Words with a similar meaning to means:

• signify
• imply
• intend
• denote

Antonyms of means

Words with the opposite meaning to means:

• disregard
• misinterpret

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