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.
But the lack of braking points means the cars will be energy starved this year, so will be running with not much more than half the engines' full power at key points of the track.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
If you want to avoid long-term risks, that also means shorter-term bonds.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026
Like the Florida storyline, the French Polynesia study is about going back, trying to relocate a spectacular example and finding out what it means for the resurgence of sharks in general.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
For me, it means celebrating the land, and with that, celebrating the people in that land.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026
But I dread it because it means having to see Karly and Sal, too, smirking and gossiping and sniggering at everyone behind their hands.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
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.
