Dictionary entry details
• MEAN (noun)
Meaning:
An average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
mean; mean value
Hypernyms ("mean" is a kind of...):
average; norm (a statistic describing the location of a distribution)
Domain category:
statistics (a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mean"):
arithmetic mean; expectation; expected value; first moment (the sum of the values of a random variable divided by the number of values)
geometric mean (the mean of n numbers expressed as the n-th root of their product)
harmonic mean (the mean of n numbers expressed as the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean of the reciprocals of the numbers)
• MEAN (adjective)
Meaning:
Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
Synonyms:
average; mean
Context examples:
the average income in New England is below that of the nation / of average height for his age / the mean annual rainfall
Similar:
normal (conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal)
Domain category:
statistics (a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters)
Meaning:
Characterized by malice
Synonyms:
mean; hateful
Context examples:
a hateful thing to do / in a mean mood
Similar:
awful; nasty (offensive or even (of persons) malicious)
Meaning:
Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality
Synonyms:
meanspirited; mean; base
Context examples:
that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble / taking a mean advantage / chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort / something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics
Similar:
ignoble (completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose)
Meaning:
Excellent
Context example:
famous for a mean backhand
Similar:
skilled (having or showing or requiring special skill)
Domain usage:
argot; cant; jargon; lingo; patois; slang; vernacular (a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves))
Meaning:
Marked by poverty befitting a beggar
Synonyms:
beggarly; mean
Context examples:
a beggarly existence in the slums / a mean hut
Similar:
poor (characterized by or indicating poverty)
Meaning:
(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
Synonyms:
mingy; miserly; tight; mean
Context examples:
a mean person / he left a miserly tip
Similar:
stingy; ungenerous (unwilling to spend)
Meaning:
(used of sums of money) so small in amount as to deserve contempt
Synonyms:
beggarly; mean
Similar:
stingy; ungenerous (unwilling to spend)
Meaning:
Of no value or worth
Synonyms:
bastardly; mean
Context example:
I was caught in the bastardly traffic
Similar:
contemptible (deserving of contempt or scorn)
• MEAN (verb)
Meaning:
Mean or intend to express or convey
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
mean; intend
Context examples:
You never understand what I mean! / what do his words intend?
Hypernyms (to "mean" is one way to...):
convey; impart (make known; pass on, of information)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "mean"):
represent; stand for; symbolise; symbolize; typify (express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol)
denote; refer (have as a meaning)
signify (convey or express a meaning)
import; spell (indicate or signify)
aim (direct (a remark) toward an intended goal)
aim; drive; get (move into a desired direction of discourse)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Have as a logical consequence
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
entail; mean; imply
Context example:
The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers
Hypernyms (to "mean" is one way to...):
necessitate (cause to be a concomitant)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Denote or connote
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
signify; stand for; mean; intend
Context examples:
'maison' means 'house' in French / An example sentence would show what this word means
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Have in mind as a purpose
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Synonyms:
intend; mean; think
Context examples:
I mean no harm / I only meant to help you / She didn't think to harm me / We thought to return early that night
Hypernyms (to "mean" is one way to...):
will; wish (have in mind)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "mean"):
design (intend or have as a purpose)
be after; plan (have the will and intention to carry out some action)
aim; propose; purport; purpose (propose or intend)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Sentence example:
They mean to move
Meaning:
Have a specified degree of importance
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context examples:
My ex-husband means nothing to me / Happiness means everything
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Intend to refer to
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Synonyms:
have in mind; think of; mean
Context examples:
I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France / Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!
Hypernyms (to "mean" is one way to...):
associate; colligate; connect; link; link up; relate; tie in (make a logical or causal connection)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "mean"):
advert; bring up; cite; mention; name; refer (make reference to)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Destine or designate for a certain purpose
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Context example:
These flowers were meant for you
Hypernyms (to "mean" is one way to...):
designate; destine; intend; specify (design or destine)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something PP
