means
Britishnoun
-
(functioning as singular or plural) the medium, method, or instrument used to obtain a result or achieve an end
a means of communication
-
(functioning as plural) resources or income
-
(functioning as plural) considerable wealth or income
a man of means
-
without hesitation or doubt; certainly
come with us by all means
-
with the use or help of
-
definitely not
he was by no manner of means a cruel man
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unit 7, Words to Know
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
"I think that that's being felt by a lot of people in this area who would love to go, but they just simply don't have the means."
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Loyalty, it would seem, means nothing in the gladiatorial arena of the annual song contest.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
The new policy means instructors will be present during exams and will document any infractions they observe.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
It usually means high volatility, which means a lot of the result was luck.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
But if you are reading this, that means I didn’t return and I know that this will break you.
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.
