Pronunciation: /miːn/
noun an average calculated by adding together all the values in a set and dividing by the number of values
A1 I don't understand the mean of this word.
A2 Can you explain the mean of this symbol to me?
B1 The mean of the data set is calculated by adding all the numbers together and dividing by the total count.
B2 In statistics, the mean is often used as a measure of central tendency.
C1 The mean of the population was found to be significantly higher than expected.
C2 Her research focused on the mean of various demographic groups within the city.
verb to intend to convey or refer to; signify
A1 She means well, but sometimes her words come out the wrong way.
A2 I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, I was just being honest.
B1 What do you mean by that statement? Can you clarify it for me?
B2 His actions may seem harsh, but he means business when it comes to achieving his goals.
C1 The author's use of symbolism in the novel means that there are deeper layers of meaning to explore.
C2 The subtle nuances in the painting mean different things to different viewers, sparking various interpretations.
adjective unkind, spiteful, or unfair
A1 I don't understand what you mean.
A2 She can be mean sometimes, but she's really nice overall.
B1 The mean temperature in July is around 25 degrees Celsius.
B2 His comments were meant to be helpful, but they came across as quite mean.
C1 The statistical mean of the data set is 50.
C2 Her cutting remarks were a reflection of her mean-spirited nature.
adverb in a poor or inferior manner
A1 She spoke meanly to her sister.
A2 He looked at her meanly, making her uncomfortable.
B1 The teacher explained the lesson meanly, causing confusion among the students.
B2 The boss spoke meanly to his employees, creating a hostile work environment.
C1 The politician's mean behavior towards his opponents was widely criticized in the media.
C2 Despite his mean reputation, he was surprisingly generous with his friends.
formal The average is calculated by finding the mean of a set of numbers.
informal I'm not sure what you mean by that.
slang Don't be so mean, lighten up a bit.
figurative His words may sound harsh, but his mean intentions are not always clear.
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