MEANS
Dictionary entry overview: What does means mean?
• MEANS (noun)
The noun MEANS has 3 senses:
1. how a result is obtained or an end is achieved
2. an instrumentality for accomplishing some end
3. considerable capital (wealth or income)
Familiarity information: MEANS used as a noun is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• MEANS (noun)
Meaning:
How a result is obtained or an end is achieved
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
means; way; agency
Context examples:
a means of control / an example is the best agency of instruction / the true way to success
Hypernyms ("means" is a kind of...):
effectuation; implementation (the act of implementing (providing a practical means for accomplishing something); carrying into effect)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "means"):
dint (interchangeable with 'means' in the expression 'by means of')
wings (a means of flight or ascent)
voice (a means or agency by which something is expressed or communicated)
tooth (a means of enforcement)
salvation (a means of preserving from harm or unpleasantness)
open sesame (any very successful means of achieving a result)
desperate measure (desperate actions taken as a means to an end)
expedient (a means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one)
stepping stone (any means of advancement)
road (a way or means to achieve something)
instrument; tool (the means whereby some act is accomplished)
fast track (a rapid means of achieving a goal)
escape (a means or way of escaping)
Meaning:
An instrumentality for accomplishing some end
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("means" is a kind of...):
instrumentality; instrumentation (an artifact (or system of artifacts) that is instrumental in accomplishing some end)
Meaning:
Considerable capital (wealth or income)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession
Synonyms:
means; substance
Context example:
he is a man of means
Hypernyms ("means" is a kind of...):
capital (wealth in the form of money or property owned by a person or business and human resources of economic value)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "means"):
pocketbook (your personal financial means)
wherewithal (the necessary means (especially financial means))
