Definition of means in English:
means
See synonyms for meansTranslate means into Spanish
plural noun
1often means of something or means to do somethingtreated as singular or plural An action or system by which a result is brought about; a method.
‘resolving disputes by peaceful means’- ‘these pledges are a means to avoid prosecution’
- ‘When the objective is recognized, a wide variety of well known techniques may be used as transitional or enduring means of achieving it.’
- ‘The method provides a means of identifying and describing the ways the viewers fill the gaps in the text.’
- ‘Having a series of plant analysis results provides a means of evaluating these influences.’
- ‘We are in the process of implementing new means of processing credit cards, a move that will result in both time and money savings for the association.’
- ‘Arts programs are one means of achieving that goal.’
- ‘Thorough cleaning of all equipment from planting to delivery is one of the most important means of achieving this.’
- ‘He goes on to advise an effective means of achieving this goal.’
- ‘He is guilty of committing various immoral acts as a means of achieving power and importance.’
- ‘Holland also has developed a means of measuring each sales rep's forecasting prowess.’
- ‘I would say half of an hour, but without a means of measuring time with me, I couldn't be sure.’
- ‘Instruments can become indirect means of communication for autistic children.’
- ‘One effective means of improving the process is to request more than one reference.’
- ‘Unfortunately, following the announcement of the results the organizer cut every means of communication!’
- ‘He offered to advise them about means of gaining assistance under the social welfare system.’
- ‘To me it was just another medium, a means of transmitting things.’
- ‘He took up the bass as a means of channeling his madcap intensity.’
- ‘And, it is stressed, it is far from the only means of achieving business objectives.’
- ‘Manure management is the most effective means for fly control.’
- ‘Its successor, the United Nations, also seeks to persuade member nations to solve their difference by peaceful means.’
- ‘On that basis, buying back shares is just a means by which a company can distribute cash to its shareholders.’
method, way, manner, mode, measure, fashion, process, procedure, technique, expedient, agency, medium, instrument, mechanism, channel, vehicle, avenue, courseView synonyms2Money; financial resources.
‘he came from a family of very modest means’- ‘prospective students without the means to attend Cornell’
- ‘That way you will have the financial means whatever bill comes your way!’
- ‘She has also received computers and 14 computer training facilities for families without the means.’
money, resources, capital, income, finance, funds, cash, the wherewithal, assetsView synonyms- 2.1Wealth.‘exclusive hotels that are priced so that only people of means can stay’
- ‘You have had the means under your control for quite some time now.’
wealth, riches, affluence, substance, fortune, property, money, capital, deep pocketsView synonyms - 2.2Resources; capability.‘every country in the world has the means to make ethanol’
- ‘Of course, American monetary and financial officials will continue to use every means at its disposal to thwart any such crash dynamics.’
- ‘I highly recommend tracking it down if you have the means.’
Pronunciation
Phrases
- a means to an end
A thing that is not valued or important in itself but is useful in achieving an aim.
‘a computer is merely a means to an end’- ‘We view our technology as a means to an end, and the end is always to deliver business value.’
- ‘However, it must be used as a means to an end and not the end itself.’
- ‘‘I don't think much of gaming,’ says Morgan, ‘but it was a means to an end.’’
- ‘So advertising is only a means to an end - if an alternative method existed to increase the reputation of the product, it would also serve the seller's purpose.’
- ‘It's a means to an end, and I have to go to practice.’
- ‘‘It's a means to an end,’ she said as she turned a corner around the stairs.’
- ‘But remember that they are just a means to an end.’
- ‘Money is only a means to an end - it is fuel for my projects.’
- ‘Small talk is all about social connection; the content is a means to an end.’
- ‘Grants are a means to an end, and allow a faculty member to hire students or technicians and conduct research.’
Beyond one's budget or income.
‘most people who are living beyond their means don't realise until it's too late’- ‘First of all they are going to help you set up a budget so you live within your means.’
- ‘Without any insurance, the emergency room fee was far beyond her means.’
- ‘Live within your means, they say, we can't bail you out forever.’
- ‘And don't forget, you must live within your means and stay away from credit-card debt.’
- ‘Another important factor in playing the lottery is to play within your means.’
- ‘They live rather well within their means, evidently.’
- ‘Why can't people learn to live within their means?’
- ‘We're living within our means, rather than borrowing against the future.’
- ‘‘I live within my means,’ she says with a quiet laugh.’
- ‘It's not always about living beyond your means.’
Of course; certainly (granting a permission)
‘“May I make a suggestion?” “By all means.”’- ‘If writing is not your forte, by all means, have it done for you.’
- ‘Telephone, have a talk by all means but exclude me from arrangements.’
- ‘If it sounds like your sort of thing, then, by all means, check it out.’
- ‘But by all means, do play the game as it is quite addictive and takes an innovative approach to commanding your team members.’
- ‘Although, if you don't mind paying a little more, by all means, pick it up.’
- ‘I am not against this practice, and if you think it will help you, by all means, write your goals down and hang them up.’
- ‘If you have any thoughts about this, by all means, start a discussion thread, and let us know.’
- ‘If you think you know of one who might be interested, then by all means, please tell me.’
- ‘If this is something that interests you, then by all means go for it.’
- ‘If you have never seen this movie, by all means rent this disc.’
(following a negative) in any way; at all.
‘I'm not poor by any means’- ‘The film doesn't purport to be a documentary by any means.’
- ‘The graphics are good and clean, but they are not stunning by any means.’
- ‘This is not essential by any means, but it can help in certain projects.’
- ‘It is not a well thought out performance by any means.’
- ‘We have not proven that by any means, and it is not a trivial assumption.’
- ‘Indonesian trade with Australia is convenient, but not critical by any means.’
- ‘It wasn't glamorous by any means, but it was all so new and exciting to me.’
- ‘Watering the garden plants is not an easy job, by any means.’
- ‘He didn't drive slowly by any means, but he didn't try to impress people with his horsepower.’
- ‘Don't get me wrong, they aren't terrible by any means but are just not overly impressive.’
With the help or agency of.
‘supplying water to cities by means of aqueducts’- ‘Organizations exist by means of and as a result of these interactions.’
- ‘Withdrawal of cash is further effected by means of encoded plastic cards utilized at computer terminals.’
- ‘The farmhouse is connected at right angles to the restaurant by means of a large utility room which then leads on to a full catering kitchen.’
- ‘As planned, I left the town by means of the Jeep just at the crack of dawn.’
- ‘Man had learned to irrigate the land by means of canals and ditches, and had mastered the arts of agriculture.’
- ‘At their tops, these vertical elements were joined to horizontal ones by means of brass couplings.’
- ‘He cautiously went inside by means of a small side door.’
- ‘The places of ascent or descent are reached by means of stairways.’
- ‘The wall and roof glazing is suspended under the external steel structure by means of point fixings.’
- ‘He sought to depict the inner reality of objects by means of meticulous physical observations.’
Not at all; certainly not.
‘the outcome is by no means guaranteed’- ‘I saw it last week, and enjoyed it, but it's by no means even close to being the best film of 2002.’
- ‘Although this room is by no means small, a large wall mirror creates the illusion of even greater space.’
- ‘These are by no means mutually exclusive categories and many analyses will fall into both categories.’
- ‘Katherine laughed with her, but she was by no means as confident as Carrie.’
- ‘Although the sums paid are by no means small, they are a far cry from what the jet set pay across the water.’
- ‘This is by no means merely a technology issue and the jury is still out.’
- ‘She may now have become a thief, but she was by no means ready to become a murderer.’
- ‘What is going on is by no means clear to Christian, and he is increasingly anxious.’
- ‘That is by no means an accurate statement, but it has a grain of truth.’
- ‘It was by no means a foregone conclusion that the UK would get involved.’
Within one's budget or income.
- ‘an apartment that was within her means’
Origin
Late Middle English plural of mean, the early sense being ‘intermediary’.
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