meant

Verb

mean (third-person singular simple present means, present participle meaning, simple past and past participle meant)

1. (transitive) To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention.
   • I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.

   Synonyms:

   intend

2. (intransitive) To have as intentions of a given kind.
   • Don't be angry; she meant well.
3. (passive, regional, transitive) To intend (something) for a given purpose or fate; to predestine.
   • Actually this desk was meant for the subeditor.
4. (transitive) To intend an ensuing comment or statement as an explanation.
   • Your reasoning seems needlessly abstruse, complex, and verbose for me. I mean, could you dumb it down for my sake?
5. (transitive) To convey (a given sense); to signify, or indicate (an object or idea).
   • The sky is red this morning—does that mean we're in for a storm?

   Synonyms:

   convey, indicate, signify

6. (transitive) Of a word, symbol etc: to have reference to, to signify.
   • What does this hieroglyph mean?

See all 32 meanings of mean