meanest
meanest — adjective
- meanestpositive
- more meanestcomparative
- most meanestsuperlative
1. Someone who is mean is not willing to share or spend their money or belongings,
Someone who is mean is not willing to share or spend their money or belongings, even when they have enough and others need them. The superlative form 'meanest' describes the person who shows this quality most strongly.
The meanest landlord in town refused to fix the broken heater all winter.
collocation: meanest + [noun] for extreme stinginess
Hao's uncle is so mean that he still uses the same teabag three times.
pattern: so mean that + [result clause]
Emma called her roommate mean for never buying snacks to share with the others.
It was the stingiest tip Tomás had ever seen — just fifty cents on a large meal.
- stingy
direct synonym; stingy focuses on reluctance to spend money in general
- tight-fisted
informal, more emphatic than mean
- miserly
formal; describes someone who hoards money, often with negative moral judgment
文法句型
mean + about/with + [noun]
用法筆記
Common in informal speech about everyday money habits. The superlative 'meanest' is frequently used to criticise people with power (landlords, bosses) who refuse to spend on others' needs.
常見錯誤
2. Saying or doing things that deliberately hurt, upset, or offend other people. Th
Saying or doing things that deliberately hurt, upset, or offend other people. The superlative 'meanest' describes the most unkind action or person.
The meanest thing Talia ever did was spread a rumor about her closest friend.
pattern: the meanest thing + [someone] + ever + did
Why are those boys being so mean to the new student in class?
collocation: mean to [someone]
Nkechi's supervisor was especially mean to the interns during their first week at work.
It was very mean of Mert to mock his brother in front of the dinner guests.
Dahlia regretted the mean joke she had told about her colleague's accent.
文法句型
mean + to + [someone]
it is mean of + [someone] + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Common in children's language and everyday adult speech about social behaviour. Frequently used with 'to' (be mean to someone). Distinguish from sense 1 (STINGY) which is about money — sense 2 is about cruelty or unkindness of any kind.
常見錯誤
3. Dangerous in appearance or behaviour, so that people feel threatened or scared.
Dangerous in appearance or behaviour, so that people feel threatened or scared. The superlative 'meanest' describes the person or animal that looks or acts the most frightening.
The atmosphere in the bar turned mean after midnight when the crowd grew rowdy.
collocation: turn mean (of a situation)
Hari's dog looks mean with those sharp teeth, but it is actually very gentle.
collocation: look mean (appearance)
A mean-looking stray cat hissed at Manuela from behind the dumpster.
The alley behind the warehouse was known for being mean even during daylight hours.
文法句型
be + mean
look + mean
用法筆記
Often describes places, situations, or animals rather than people. 'Mean-looking' is a common compound adjective. This sense overlaps with 'scary' or 'threatening' but implies potential violence, not just fear.
常見錯誤
4. Very skilful or impressive at making or doing something, especially in cooking o
Very skilful or impressive at making or doing something, especially in cooking or playing music. Used in the fixed structure 'a mean + [noun]'. The superlative 'meanest' does not naturally occur in this sense.
Ari can play a mean piano — everyone in the bar stops to listen when she starts.
fixed structure: a mean + [noun]
Emma's grandmother makes a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies every Sunday.
collocation: a mean batch of [food]
Mert can build a mean bookshelf with nothing but scrap wood and a hammer.
That food truck behind the station serves a mean bowl of beef noodles for six dollars.
- excellent
standard equivalent, formal register; no article constraint
- outstanding
formal and emphatic; implies better than most
- great
simple everyday synonym
文法句型
mean + [noun phrase] — 'a mean [skill/product]'
用法筆記
This sense only appears in the fixed expression 'a mean + [noun]' — do not use 'mean' alone to mean 'excellent'. The superlative 'meanest' is rarely used with this meaning because the structure requires the indefinite article 'a'.
常見錯誤
5. Describing a place or building that is rundown, dirty, and of noticeably low qua
Describing a place or building that is rundown, dirty, and of noticeably low quality — so neglected that it feels unpleasant to be there.
The family lived in a mean little apartment with no running water or electricity.
collocation: mean little [place]
Zola grew up in a mean part of town, but she never let her surroundings stop her.
The hotel room was so mean that the sheets had holes and the pillows were stained.
Chiara refused to stay in that mean-looking hostel near the train station.
文法句型
mean + [noun]
用法筆記
Often combined with 'little' for emphasis ('a mean little shack'). This sense is somewhat old-fashioned in British English but still current. Distinguish from sense 1 (STINGY) — this is about physical quality, not generosity.
常見錯誤
6. Relating to the mathematical average — the number you get by adding two or more
Relating to the mathematical average — the number you get by adding two or more values together and dividing by the quantity of those values. Used in statistics and research.
The mean temperature in Taipei during July is about twenty-nine degrees Celsius.
collocation: mean temperature
Researchers calculated the mean score from all two hundred test results.
The mean height of adult women in this region is one hundred sixty-two centimeters.
To find the mean value, add all the numbers together and divide by the total count.
文法句型
mean + [noun]
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive) — mean temperature, mean score, mean value. This is a specialised mathematical sense. In everyday conversation, 'average' is far more common. The superlative 'meanest' does not occur naturally with this sense.
常見錯誤
meanest — noun
1. A single value used to summarise a collection of numbers — worked out by adding
A single value used to summarise a collection of numbers — worked out by adding them together and then splitting that sum equally across however many numbers there are. Often called the average.
The mean of five, seven, and twelve is eight.
pattern: the mean of + [numbers]
Talia's exam scores were all above the class mean this semester.
collocation: above / below the mean
The mean of the monthly temperatures gave the researchers a clear climate trend.
Tomás calculated the mean of his monthly expenses to set a realistic budget.
文法句型
the mean + of + [plural noun]
用法筆記
In mathematics, 'mean' and 'average' are often used interchangeably, though 'mean' specifically refers to the arithmetic mean. This sense is the noun form of adjective sense 6 (AVERAGE).
常見錯誤
2. A position or approach that sits between two opposing extremes — a reasonable mi
A position or approach that sits between two opposing extremes — a reasonable middle option that avoids going too far in either direction.
We need to find a mean between spending too much and saving too little.
pattern: a mean between [extreme A] and [extreme B]
The prime minister tried to strike a mean between conservative and progressive policies.
collocation: strike a mean [formal]
There is a happy mean between working all day and resting all day.
The teacher urged her students to find a mean between theory and hands-on practice.
- middle ground
everyday equivalent; more common in conversation
- compromise
implies each side gives up something; stronger than 'mean'
- midpoint
more literal; often used for physical positions
- extreme
the opposite of a moderate middle position
文法句型
a/the mean between + [noun] + and + [noun]
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed expressions 'strike a mean' and 'happy mean'. This sense is derived from the Aristotelian concept of the 'golden mean'. Distinguish from noun sense 1 (AVERAGE) — this is about moderation, not mathematics.
常見錯誤
meanest — verb
- meanestpresent simple I / you / we / they
- meanests3rd person singular
- meanesting-ing form
- meanestedpast simple
1. To stand for or communicate a certain idea, fact, thing, or word — used when exp
To stand for or communicate a certain idea, fact, thing, or word — used when explaining what a word, sign, action, or situation tells you.
The red traffic light means that you must bring your car to a complete stop.
pattern: [noun] means that + [clause]
In French, the word 'merci' means 'thank you' in English.
pattern: [word] means [translation]
Hao asked his teacher what the symbol on the map meant for hikers.
A single long ring of the bell means that lunch break is about to end.
文法句型
mean + [noun]
mean + that-clause
what does [noun] mean?
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of 'mean' as a verb. Used for word definitions, signs, symbols, and implied meanings. The past tense is 'meant' (irregular). Does not take the continuous form (*is meaning).
常見錯誤
2. Used to show that you speak in earnest and are not teasing, exaggerating, or lyi
Used to show that you speak in earnest and are not teasing, exaggerating, or lying. Often appears in the fixed phrases 'I mean it' and 'I mean what I say'.
Nkechi looked her brother in the eye and said, 'I mean it — never touch my computer again.'
fixed phrase: I mean it
When Emma says she loves helping out at the shelter, she really means it.
Do you mean to tell me that you walked all the way here in the rain?
Mert said he would pay me back, and I believe he means what he says.
- be serious
equivalent in meaning but used differently in sentence structure ('I am serious')
- sincerely intend
formal equivalent
- joke
opposite intention — to amuse rather than be serious
文法句型
mean + [noun phrase]
I mean it
mean what + [pronoun] + say
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (SIGNIFY): sense 2 is about the speaker's sincerity and seriousness, not about the definition of a word or symbol. The phrase 'I mean it' is a fixed expression — do not change the word order.
常見錯誤
3. To lead to or produce a specific outcome — used to explain what happens as a con
To lead to or produce a specific outcome — used to explain what happens as a consequence of a situation, action, or condition.
If you miss the last train, it means you will have to walk home through the park.
pattern: if [condition], it means that + [result]
Getting into this university means leaving my hometown for the very first time.
For Ari, accepting the job in Seoul meant moving to a country she had never visited.
Higher temperatures mean more ice melting in the polar regions each summer.
The new regulations mean that all factory workers must wear safety helmets at all times.
文法句型
[A] means that [B] will happen
[A] means [B]
用法筆記
This sense focuses on logical or practical consequences rather than definitions or intentions. Often used in conditionals (if… then) and explanatory statements. Frequently followed by a gerund (moving, leaving, working) or a that-clause.
常見錯誤
4. To have a particular plan or purpose in your mind — used when talking about what
To have a particular plan or purpose in your mind — used when talking about what someone intends or does not intend to do, especially in apologies or explanations.
Tomás meant to call his mother on Sunday, but he forgot until it was too late.
pattern: mean to + infinitive (intended action)
Chiara did not mean to spill the coffee on the new carpet — it was a complete accident.
pattern: did not mean to + infinitive (apology)
Dahlia meant every word she said during the graduation speech that afternoon.
Hari meant no offence by his comment — he was simply stating his honest opinion.
- accidentally do
opposite — doing something without intention
文法句型
mean + to-infinitive
mean + [someone] + no harm
I didn't mean to
用法筆記
This sense is commonly used in apologies ('I didn't mean to…') and clarifications ('I meant that…'). The past form 'meant' is used to express past intentions that may or may not have been carried out. Not used in the progressive form (*I am meaning to).
常見錯誤
5. To be designed, made, or destined for a particular purpose, person, or use — use
To be designed, made, or destined for a particular purpose, person, or use — used in the passive voice to describe the intended function or target of something.
This medicine is meant to be taken with food, not on an empty stomach.
passive: be meant to + infinitive (purpose)
The soft chairs in the lobby were meant for elderly visitors who needed to rest.
passive: be meant for [someone]
Zola's remarks were not meant to offend anyone — she was simply telling a funny story.
The new playground was meant to give neighborhood children a safe space to play.
- be designed to
implies deliberate engineering or planning
- be intended to
formal equivalent; slightly clearer for learners
文法句型
be meant to + infinitive
be meant for + [someone/something]
用法筆記
Only occurs in the passive voice (be meant) — never in active form (*this means to be taken). Distinguish from sense 4 (INTEND): sense 4 is about a person's intention; sense 5 is about an object's purpose or design.
常見錯誤
6. To have emotional importance or significance for someone — used to say that some
To have emotional importance or significance for someone — used to say that someone or something is deeply valued or cared about.
That old guitar means the world to Manuela because her grandfather gave it to her.
collocation: mean the world to [someone]
Talia's opinion means a great deal to me when I am making an important decision.
collocation: mean a great deal to [someone]
The scholarship meant everything to Emma after years of part-time jobs to save money.
A simple handwritten thank-you note can mean more than an expensive gift sometimes.
- matter
direct synonym; 'it matters to me' = 'it means a lot to me'
- be important to
clear, simple phrasing for learners at this level
- not matter
opposite — to have no importance
文法句型
mean + a lot / everything / the world + to + [someone]
用法筆記
Always requires a quantifier (a lot, everything, the world, much) — 'mean' cannot appear alone in this sense (*this means to me). Typically used with 'to' (means a lot to someone). Distinguish from sense 3 (RESULT) which is about logical consequences, not emotional value.