meaner
meaner — adjective
- meanerpositive
- meanerercomparative
- meanerestsuperlative
1. less willing than someone else to spend money or share what you have with others
less willing than someone else to spend money or share what you have with others; more tightfisted.
The landlord got even meaner after the rent increase, still refusing to fix the old plumbing.
comparative: meaner + than implied context
My aunt is much meaner with her money than my uncle, who always pays for dinner.
meaner with + noun phrase indicating resource
The new office manager is meaner than the old one, questioning every receipt the team submits.
That landlord is the meanest person on the street, even charging extra for hot water.
- stingy
more common in everyday speech; sounds less harsh than 'meaner'
- tightfisted
informal, very disapproving, stronger than 'mean'
- miserly
more formal; suggests hoarding money excessively
- generous
opposite quality — willing to give freely
- big-hearted
informal, describes someone who shares gladly
文法句型
meaner + than + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'with' to specify the resource being withheld, e.g. 'mean with money', 'mean with food portions'. The superlative 'meanest' is very common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. more cruel or unpleasant in behavior, words, or attitude toward another person t
more cruel or unpleasant in behavior, words, or attitude toward another person than someone or something else.
The older boys were far meaner to the new student than anyone expected.
meaner to + person as target
The comments on that post got meaner and meaner until the moderator shut the discussion down.
comparative repetition: meaner and meaner (increasing intensity)
My roommate's jokes are meaner than she realizes and often leave people hurt.
That teacher can be meaner than the principal, shouting at students for tiny mistakes.
Mei's supervisor said meaner things to her than to anyone else, mocking her work in front of the team.
文法句型
meaner to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by 'to' when specifying the target of the cruelty. Common in everyday complaints and gossip. The pattern 'meaner and meaner' is used for progressively worsening behavior.
常見錯誤
3. more frightening in appearance or manner, and more likely to react with aggressi
more frightening in appearance or manner, and more likely to react with aggression than someone or something else.
The guard dog looks meaner than it actually is, and the children have learned it is gentle.
look meaner — appearance vs. reality
The two bikers arguing outside the bar looked meaner than anyone else on the block.
looked meaner — perceived aggression
That bull is meaner than the cows in the pasture, so the farmer keeps it in a separate pen.
The new security guard seems meaner than the previous one, but he is just very serious about the rules.
- fierce
similar in meaning; can also describe animals or people with a threatening appearance
- intimidating
focuses on the effect on others rather than the person's nature
- aggressive
emphasizes tendency to attack rather than just appearance
文法句型
meaner-looking
look meaner
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'look' or 'seem' to describe an intimidating appearance rather than actual behavior. The phrase 'mean-looking' also serves as a compound adjective.
4. extremely skillful or impressive in a particular activity — used informally to e
extremely skillful or impressive in a particular activity — used informally to express admiration.
The drummer plays a mean solo, and the crowd always cheers when she stands up to perform.
play a mean + noun (skill expression)
My grandmother makes a mean pot of beef stew that the whole family craves during winter.
make a mean + noun (cooking skill)
The guitar teacher plays a mean blues riff that makes every student want to learn more.
The new chef at the corner diner cooks a mean fried chicken that draws customers from three towns away.
文法句型
play a mean + noun
make a mean + noun
用法筆記
This sense is strictly informal and follows a fixed structure: verb + 'a mean' + noun denoting the activity. Common verbs are 'play', 'make', 'cook', and 'mix'. Only used with positive admiration, never literal cruelty.
常見錯誤
5. more poor, dirty, or low in quality than something else, especially when describ
more poor, dirty, or low in quality than something else, especially when describing a place or living conditions.
The apartment the students rented was meaner than they had imagined, with cracks in every wall.
comparative describing living conditions
The hotel room on the lower floor was meaner than the one upstairs, but it cost half the price.
The streets in the old part of town are meaner and dirtier than the newer neighborhoods near the river.
The cooking facilities in the camping shelter were meaner than anything the hikers had seen before.
用法筆記
Often used to describe neighborhoods, buildings, or living conditions that are run-down. More common in literary or descriptive English than in everyday conversation. 'Mean streets' is a fixed expression for a poor, dangerous urban area.
6. relating to the mathematical average obtained by adding values and dividing by t
relating to the mathematical average obtained by adding values and dividing by the count; this sense does not have a comparative form.
The mean temperature for July in this city is twenty-eight degrees Celsius.
mean + noun: common statistical collocation
Researchers calculated the mean score of all one hundred students who took the exam.
the mean score of + group
The mean age of participants in the study was thirty-four years old.
In statistics class, the teacher showed how to find the mean value from a set of raw numbers.
- average
more common in everyday use; 'mean' is more technical
- arithmetic mean
full technical term for this type of average
文法句型
the mean + noun
用法筆記
This sense has no comparative form ('meaner' is not used for the statistical meaning). It appears only in the base form 'mean' as an adjective before a noun. Common in academic, scientific, and data-analysis contexts. Distinguished from 'median' (middle value) and 'mode' (most frequent value).
常見錯誤
meaner — noun
1. a number that represents the typical value in a set of data, found by adding all
a number that represents the typical value in a set of data, found by adding all the numbers together and dividing by how many numbers there are.
To find the mean of five test scores, add them up and divide by five.
structural formula: the mean of + set + calculation steps
The mean of the rainfall measurements over the past decade was about one hundred centimeters per year.
the mean of + measurements + time frame
The economics report listed the mean income of households in each district of the city.
When the teacher announced the class mean on the math test, several students were surprised by how low it was.
- average
more general term; can refer to any measure of central tendency, not only the arithmetic mean
文法句型
the mean of + plural noun phrase
用法筆記
Used alongside 'median' and 'mode' as the three main measures of central tendency in statistics. In everyday language, 'average' is more common, but 'mean' is preferred in scientific and technical writing.
2. a state or way of acting that is between two extreme opposites, avoiding either
a state or way of acting that is between two extreme opposites, avoiding either extreme.
A good manager must find the happy mean between being too strict and too relaxed with the team.
the happy mean between + extreme A + and + extreme B
The politician tried to strike a mean between cutting taxes and maintaining public services.
strike a mean between + two competing goals
In raising children, a parent has to find a wise mean between protecting them and letting them take risks.
The diet plan aims for a sensible mean between strict rules and total freedom to eat anything.
- middle ground
more common in everyday speech; less formal than 'mean'
- compromise
emphasizes mutual concession rather than balance
- balance
broader term; not limited to extremes
- extreme
one end of the spectrum, the opposite of a middle position
文法句型
the mean between + noun phrase + and + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expressions 'the mean between', 'strike a mean', 'find a mean', or 'the golden mean'. The phrase 'the happy mean' suggests a satisfying balance. This sense derives from Aristotle's concept of the 'golden mean' in philosophy.
meaner — verb
- meanerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- meaners3rd person singular
- meanering-ing form
- meaneredpast simple
1. to express or communicate a particular idea, fact, or feeling — for example, wha
to express or communicate a particular idea, fact, or feeling — for example, what a word, sign, or action represents.
The red light on the dashboard means the engine needs oil immediately.
Subject (signal) + means + noun clause (what it indicates)
What does this symbol on the map mean? Does it point to a hospital or a train station?
question: what does + noun + mean?
The teacher's silence meant that she was disappointed with the class's behavior.
In Japanese, the word 'arigatou' means 'thank you' and is used in everyday situations.
The flashing signal on the phone means that a new message has arrived while you were away.
文法句型
mean + noun phrase
mean + that-clause
what + noun + means
用法筆記
This is the most basic and frequent sense of 'mean'. The question form 'What does X mean?' is essential for A2 learners. Can be followed by a noun phrase or a that-clause.
常見錯誤
2. used to emphasize that you are being sincere and serious about what you just sai
used to emphasize that you are being sincere and serious about what you just said, often when the listener might doubt you.
I mean it — if you arrive late one more time, you will lose your place in the program.
I mean it — emphatic declaration
The manager said she would quit if the budget was cut again, and everyone knew she meant it.
meant it in past tense (backing up a previous statement)
When the coach says the team has to practice every weekend, he means what he says.
The notice on the door says no food in the library, and the librarian means it.
- be serious
equivalent in meaning but follows a different grammatical structure (be + adjective)
文法句型
mean it
mean what + subject + say
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the fixed phrases 'I mean it!' and 'mean what you say'. Often appears in threats, warnings, or promises where the speaker wants to be taken seriously. The past tense 'meant it' is used when reporting a past serious statement.
常見錯誤
3. to produce or lead to a specific outcome or consequence, especially one that is
to produce or lead to a specific outcome or consequence, especially one that is not planned or hoped for.
Closing the factory will mean the loss of over three hundred local jobs.
Subject (event) + means + noun phrase (consequence)
A delay on this line could mean missing your connecting flight in Tokyo.
modal + mean + gerund (possible consequence)
The new road construction means residents must take a longer route for six months.
Getting this promotion would mean a bigger salary but also longer hours.
文法句型
mean + noun phrase
mean + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense is often used to explain causes and effects in a neutral, factual way. The subject is typically an event, action, or situation (not a person). Common in warnings, explanations, and analyses.
常見錯誤
4. to have a plan or intention in your mind to do a particular thing.
to have a plan or intention in your mind to do a particular thing.
I meant to call you yesterday, but my phone battery died before I could dial.
meant to + infinitive (past intention not carried out)
The teacher did not mean to embarrass the student in front of the whole class.
did not mean to + infinitive (unintentional action)
We meant to arrive by nine, but the highway traffic was terrible.
The chef meant the spicy dish for customers who enjoy strong flavors and bold spices.
When the neighbor said the fence was too tall, he meant it as a suggestion.
文法句型
mean + to-infinitive
mean + noun phrase + to-infinitive
mean + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by a to-infinitive. The past tense 'meant to' frequently implies that the intention existed but the action did not happen. 'Mean X for Y' indicates the intended recipient or purpose.
常見錯誤
5. to be designed, intended, or designated for a particular purpose, use, or recipi
to be designed, intended, or designated for a particular purpose, use, or recipient.
The small room was meant to be a storage space, not a guest bedroom.
be meant to be — original intended purpose
These tools are meant for cutting metal, not wood or plastic.
be meant for + purpose
This warning sign is meant to alert drivers about the sharp curve ahead.
The scholarship is meant for low-income students who need financial aid.
- be designed to
more formal; emphasizes planning and engineering
- be intended to
very similar; slightly more formal than 'be meant to'
- be supposed to
more common in everyday speech; can also imply obligation
文法句型
be meant + to-infinitive
be meant + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the passive voice: 'be meant to' or 'be meant for'. The active form 'someone means something to be used for X' is possible but less common. Distinguish from sense 4 ('intend'): sense 5 describes the designed purpose of an object or system, not a person's intention.
常見錯誤
6. to have a particular level of importance or emotional significance in someone's
to have a particular level of importance or emotional significance in someone's life.
The letter from her grandmother means more to her than any expensive gift ever could.
means more to + person + than + comparison
The coach's encouragement meant a lot to the athlete after her loss.
meant a lot to + person — emotional significance
Money means nothing to the old carpenter; he cares only about quality.
The handmade card from her son meant the world to the mother.
- matter to
very close in meaning but avoids the ambiguity of 'mean' in other senses
文法句型
mean + a lot / everything / nothing + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used with degree expressions: 'mean a lot', 'mean everything', 'mean the world', 'mean nothing', or 'mean more than'. The structure is: Subject + mean(s) + degree expression + to + person. Cannot be used with a that-clause or to-infinitive.