mean

/miːn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: means · meaning · meant · meaner

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To intend. — To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Có ý định làm gì

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

I didn't mean to knock your tooth out.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To intend. — To have as intentions of a given kind.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Có ý định hoặc kế hoạch

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

Don't be angry; she meant well.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Low in quality or degree; inferior; poor; shabby.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Thấp về chất lượng hoặc mức độ; kém; nghèo; lem nhem

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

a mean appearance

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Without dignity of mind; destitute of honour; low-minded; spiritless; base.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Thiếu phẩm giá; nghèo danh dự; tầm thường; thiếu tinh thần; thấp hèn

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adjective

Examples

a mean motive

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “mean” mean?

To intend. — To intend, to plan (to do); to have as one's intention.

Is “mean” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.