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meaning
- 5 dictionary resultsmean⋅ing
[mee-ning]
–noun
| 1. | what is intended to be, or actually is, expressed or indicated; signification; import: the three meanings of a word. |
| 2. | the end, purpose, or significance of something: What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of this intrusion? |
| 3. | Linguistics.
|
–adjective
| 4. | intentioned (usually used in combination): She's a well-meaning person. |
| 5. | full of significance; expressive: a meaning look. |
Related forms:
mean⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
mean⋅ing⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
1. tenor, gist, drift, trend. Meaning, purport, sense, significance denote that which is expressed or indicated by something. Meaning is the general word denoting that which is intended to be or actually is expressed or indicated: the meaning of a word or glance. Sense may be used to denote a particular meaning (among others) of a word or phrase: The word is frequently used in this sense. Sense may also be used loosely to refer to intelligible meaning: There's no sense in what he says. Significance refers particularly to a meaning that is implied rather than expressed: the significance of her glance; or to a meaning the importance of which may not be easy to perceive immediately: The real significance of his words was not grasped at the time. Purport is mainly limited to the meaning of a formal document, speech, important conversation, etc., and refers to the gist of something fairly complicated: the purport of your letter to the editor.
1. tenor, gist, drift, trend. Meaning, purport, sense, significance denote that which is expressed or indicated by something. Meaning is the general word denoting that which is intended to be or actually is expressed or indicated: the meaning of a word or glance. Sense may be used to denote a particular meaning (among others) of a word or phrase: The word is frequently used in this sense. Sense may also be used loosely to refer to intelligible meaning: There's no sense in what he says. Significance refers particularly to a meaning that is implied rather than expressed: the significance of her glance; or to a meaning the importance of which may not be easy to perceive immediately: The real significance of his words was not grasped at the time. Purport is mainly limited to the meaning of a formal document, speech, important conversation, etc., and refers to the gist of something fairly complicated: the purport of your letter to the editor.
mean
1 [meen]
verb, meant, mean⋅ing.–verb (used with object)
| 1. | to have in mind as one's purpose or intention; intend: I meant to compliment you on your work. |
| 2. | to intend for a particular purpose, destination, etc.: They were meant for each other. |
| 3. | to intend to express or indicate: What do you mean by “liberal”? |
| 4. | to have as its sense or signification; signify: The word “freedom” means many things to many people. |
| 5. | to bring, cause, or produce as a result: This bonus means that we can take a trip to Florida. |
| 6. | to have (certain intentions) toward a person: He didn't mean you any harm. |
| 7. | to have the value of; assume the importance of: Money means everything to them. She means the world to him. |
–verb (used without object)
—Idiom| 8. | to be minded or disposed; have intentions: Beware, she means ill, despite her solicitous manner. |
| 9. | mean well, to have good intentions; try to be kind or helpful: Her constant queries about your health must be tiresome, but I'm sure she means well. |
Origin:
bef. 900; ME menen, OE mǣnan; c. G meinen, D meenen
bef. 900; ME menen, OE mǣnan; c. G meinen, D meenen

Synonyms:
1. contemplate. See intend. 2. destine, foreordain. 4. denote, indicate; import, imply, connote.
1. contemplate. See intend. 2. destine, foreordain. 4. denote, indicate; import, imply, connote.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
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Link To meaning
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Meaning
Mean"ing\, n. 1. That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent. If there be any good meaning towards you. --Shak. 2. That which is signified, whether by act lanquage; signification; sence; import; as, the meaning of a hint. 3. Sense; power of thinking. [R.] -- Mean"ing*less, a. -- Mean"ing*ly, adv.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : meaning
Spanish:
sentido, significado,
German:
die Bedeutung,
Japanese:
意味
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