means

English Online Dictionary. What means means‎? What does means mean?

English

Etymology

From mean (“method or course of action used to achieve some result”). Compare French moyens, German Mittel.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /miːnz/
• (US) IPA^(key): /minz/
• Rhymes: -iːnz

Noun

means

1. plural of mean

Noun

means (plural means) (countable, often with of/to)

1. An instrument or condition to achieve a result. [late 14th c.]

   A car is a means of transport.

Usage notes

Frequently contrasted with end (“goal”), as in “a means to an end”. Similar contrast is process vs. product.

Synonyms

• wherewithal

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

means pl (plural only)

1. (uncountable) Financial resources; wealth. [circa 1600]
   1. Substantial wealth.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

means

1. third-person singular simple present indicative of mean

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “means (n.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
• “means” under “mean, n.”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “means”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

Anagrams

• namés, names, Seman, amens, manes, neams, ñames, Mensa, mesna, mensa, Manes, manse

Latin

Etymology

Present active participle of meō (“go along, traverse”)

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈme.ans/, [ˈmeä̃ːs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈme.ans/, [ˈmɛːäns]

Participle

meāns (genitive meantis); third-declension one-termination participle

1. going along, passing, traversing

Declension

Third-declension participle.

¹When used purely as an adjective.