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Definition of means in English:

means

Pronunciation /mēnz/ /minz/

See synonyms for means

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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, course
    View synonyms

  • 2Money; 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, assets
    View synonyms
    1. 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 pockets
      View synonyms
    2. 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.’

Phrases

    within one's means

    • Within one's budget or income.

      • ‘an apartment that was within her means’
    by any means

    • (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.’
    beyond one's means

    • Beyond one's budget or income.

      ‘the government is living beyond its means’
      • ‘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.’
    by no means

    • 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.’
    by all 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.’
    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.’
    by means of

    • 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.’

Origin

Late Middle English plural of mean, the early sense being ‘intermediary’.