Means Definition & Meaning

British

Idioms

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms means British / miːnz /

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) the medium, method, or instrument used to obtain a result or achieve an end

   a means of communication

2. (functioning as plural) resources or income

3. (functioning as plural) considerable wealth or income

   a man of means

4. without hesitation or doubt; certainly

   come with us by all means

5. with the use or help of

6. definitely not

   he was by no manner of means a cruel man

7. on no account; in no way

   by no means come!

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 means Idioms

1. see beyond one's means; by all means; by any means; by means of; by no means; end justifies the means.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That means the only chance to re-litigate this controversy would come in the medal rounds—if Sweden, with just one win in five matches, can actually make it there.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most companies haven’t thought through these questions yet, which means there is room to establish reasonable boundaries before you’re locked in.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even though, objectively speaking, that smoothie looks like something I would not be able to keep down, it means something to them.

From Salon

"This means cancer cells will migrate within the nerve and use the nerve as a way to metastasize."

From Science Daily

“What do you do?” at a party means “Who are you?”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aid
• channel
• equipment
• factor
• instrument
• measure
• mechanism
• medium
• mode
• power
• process
• route
• step
• system
• tactic
• technique
• vehicle

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.