mean
verb (used with object)
to have in mind as one's purpose or intention.
had been meaning
-
past perfect progressiveof mean.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
A family source also confirmed the engagement to People, adding that Holland had been meaning to pop the question “for a while.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2025
The 30-year-old said she had been meaning to do so for a while.
From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2022
And why not add places we had been meaning to explore to the list?
From Washington Post ● May 20, 2021
Kathy Mirescu of Los Angeles said she had been meaning to restock her earthquake safety kit and got a push after the quakes she called the strongest she’s felt since moving to California in 2000.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 7, 2019
She had been meaning to read it for a while now, and imagined she would like it since Blaine did not.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
