means
Britishnoun
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(functioning as singular or plural) the medium, method, or instrument used to obtain a result or achieve an end
a means of communication
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(functioning as plural) resources or income
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(functioning as plural) considerable wealth or income
a man of means
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without hesitation or doubt; certainly
come with us by all means
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with the use or help of
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definitely not
he was by no manner of means a cruel man
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on no account; in no way
by no means come!
Explanation
Someone who has wealth beyond the average person is said to be a person of means. Means can also mean the way something happens. You should try to resolve your fight with your brother through peaceful means––noogies are so undignified. The expression "the end justifies the means" is an example of this usage — basically, you are saying that even if the method used to get the result was bad, the result was good enough to make it okay. The tools needed to do something can also be called the means. You don't have the means to make an art project if you need paint and feathers and you have neither.
Vocabulary lists containing means
Haiti Earthquake One-Year Report
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Unit 7, Words to Know
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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.
The currently low PEG ratios means investors are paying only 1 P/E multiple point for every percentage point of expected earnings growth, so multiples are inexpensive enough for higher earnings to push the index upward.
From Barron's • May 12, 2026
However the PM must have the "confidence" of the House of Commons to govern, which means they must be supported by a majority of MPs.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
And if that means one less item of professional work listed on my résumé, so be it.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
And if the patch shortage means we have done our jobs in getting the word out that women don’t have to suffer, then so be it.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
Lily dashes for the door, which means I have to run too.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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.
