mean
an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n (Freq. 10)
• Syn:
mean value
• Topics:
statistics
• Hypernyms:
average, norm
• Hyponyms:
arithmetic mean, first moment, expectation, expected value, geometric mean, harmonic mean
1. mean or intend to express or convey (Freq. 93)
- You never understand what I mean!
- what do his words intend?
• Syn:
intend
• Derivationally related forms:
intent (for: intend), meaning
• Hypernyms:
convey
• Hyponyms:
typify, symbolize, symbolise, stand for, represent,
signify, spell, import, aim, drive, get
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Somebody ----s somebody
2. have as a logical consequence (Freq. 89)
- The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
• Syn:
entail, imply
• Derivationally related forms:
implicative (for: imply), implication (for: imply), entailment (for: entail)
• Hypernyms:
necessitate
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s something
3. denote or connote (Freq. 43)
- 'maison' means 'house' in French
- An example sentence would show what this word means
• Syn:
intend, signify, stand for
• Derivationally related forms:
signification (for: signify), sign (for: signify), signifier (for: signify), meaning
• Hyponyms:
denote, refer
• Verb Group:
signify
• Verb Frames:
- Something ----s something
4. have in mind as a purpose (Freq. 27)
- I mean no harm
- I only meant to help you
- She didn't think to harm me
- We thought to return early that night
• Syn:
intend, think
• Derivationally related forms:
intention (for: intend), intent (for: intend)
• Hyponyms:
design, plan, be after, aim, purpose,
purport, propose
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
- They mean to move
5. have a specified degree of importance (Freq. 9)
- My ex-husband means nothing to me
- Happiness means everything
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Something ----s something
6. intend to refer to (Freq. 8)
- I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France
- Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!
• Syn:
think of, have in mind
• Hypernyms:
associate, tie in, relate, link, colligate,
link up, connect
• Hyponyms:
mention, advert, bring up, cite, name, refer
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something
- Somebody ----s somebody
7. destine or designate for a certain purpose
- These flowers were meant for you
• Hypernyms:
intend, destine, designate, specify
• Verb Frames:
- Somebody ----s something PP
1. approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value (Freq. 16)
- the average income in New England is below that of the nation
- of average height for his age
- the mean annual rainfall
• Syn:
average
• Similar to:
normal
• Derivationally related forms:
average (for: average), averageness (for: average)
• Topics:
statistics
2. characterized by malice (Freq. 6)
- a hateful thing to do
- in a mean mood
• Syn:
hateful
• Similar to:
nasty, awful
• Derivationally related forms:
meanness, hatefulness (for: hateful)
3. having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality (Freq. 3)
- "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
• Syn:
base, meanspirited
• Similar to:
ignoble
• Derivationally related forms:
meanness, baseness (for: base)
4. excellent
- famous for a mean backhand
• Similar to:
skilled
• Usage Domain:
slang, cant, jargon, lingo, argot,
patois, vernacular
5. marked by poverty befitting a beggar
- a beggarly existence in the slums
- a mean hut
• Syn:
beggarly
• Similar to:
poor
• Derivationally related forms:
beggar (for: beggarly)
6. (used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
- a mean person
- he left a miserly tip
• Syn:
mingy, miserly, tight
• Similar to:
stingy, ungenerous
• Derivationally related forms:
tightness (for: tight), miser (for: miserly), miserliness (for: miserly), minginess (for: mingy), meanness
7. of no value or worth
- I was caught in the bastardly traffic
• Syn:
bastardly
• Similar to:
contemptible
• Derivationally related forms:
bastard (for: bastardly)
8. (used of sums of money) so small in amount as to deserve contempt
• Syn:
beggarly
• Similar to:
stingy, ungenerous
• Derivationally related forms:
meanness
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