verb · neutral
mean
/miːn/MEAN
Band 6-7speakingtask2
to have as a meaning; to intend or plan (to do something)
Examples
“What do you mean by 'sustainable' in this report?”
“I didn't mean to upset you.”
“She meant that the results were inconclusive.”
Band 8 sentence
“When I say 'accessibility', I mean the ways in which a service can be easily used by a diverse population.”
Collocations
- mean to do something
- mean something by
- what does X mean?
Word family
mean verb (base)means verb (3rd sg) / noun (plural form 'means' nghĩa 'phương tiện')meaning noun / present participlemeant verb (past / past participle)
Common mistakes
I didn't mean hurt you.→I didn't mean to hurt you.
What do you mean about this word?→What do you mean by this word?
Say it for a higher band
5want→6intend→7+mean
Synonyms
intend
signify
Easily confused
intend
“I intend to apply for the scholarship next month.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Irregular forms
Learn it with its set