means
7 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
means
plural
means
Britannica Dictionary definition of MEANS
1
[count]
:
a way of doing something or of achieving a desired result
—
see also ways and means, the end justifies the means at 1end
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trains, buses, and other means of transportation
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a means of communication/expression
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using fingerprints as a means of identification
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“What's the best means of getting there?” “Public transportation.”
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The property was obtained by illegal means.
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He vowed that he would succeed by any means necessary. [=by doing whatever was needed]
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He would use all/any manner of means to succeed.
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For her, buying a car was just a means to an end. [=something done only to produce a desired result], so she didn't care what make or model she got.
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How can she survive when she has no visible means of support? [=she has no apparent way to pay for the things that she needs to live]
2
[plural]
:
the money that someone has
:
wealth
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He has the means to give you everything you want.
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His means are enough to pay for college.
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a man/woman of means [=a wealthy man/woman]
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She is a woman of independent means. [=she has enough money to support herself without help from others]
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He enjoys a style of living that is beyond the means of all but the wealthiest people. [=that only the wealthiest people can afford]
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She was living beyond her means. [=she was spending more money than she could afford to spend]
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He began to save money when he finally learned to live within his means. [=to spend money only on what he could afford]
by all means
:
of course
:
certainly
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“May I come in?” “By all means!”
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By all means feel free to get a second opinion.
by means of
:
through the use of (something)
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He got out of trouble by means of a clever trick.
by no means
or not by any means also not by any manner of means
:
in no way
:
not at all
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It's by no means certain that he'll come. = It's not by any means certain that he'll come.
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This is by no means the first time we have had this problem.
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I was not happy about the arrangements by any means, but I agreed to do it.
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This issue has not been resolved yet by any manner of means.
