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Definition of means

means

/miːnz/
means
Plural:means
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means Lexical Profile

means Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An action, method, system, or instrument used to attain a specific purpose or result (functioning as both singular and plural).

Example

"Education is widely recognized as a powerful means of achieving social mobility."

2

Financial resources, income, or material wealth available to a person or organization (treated as plural).

Example

"They chose a modest apartment so they could live comfortably within their means."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

When referring to a method or instrument for achieving a result, 'means' is identical in both singular and plural forms (e.g., 'a means to an end' vs. 'several means of transport'). When referring to financial resources or wealth, it is strictly plural and takes a plural verb.

• Rhymes for means

• Nearby Words

meaninglessness
meanly
meanness
means
meanspiritedness
meantime
meanwhile

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in Middle English as the plural of the noun 'mean' (meaning 'an intermediary step or course'), it derives from Anglo-French 'meen' and Late Latin 'medianus', meaning 'in the middle'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Means. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/means
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