meaning
English meaning: Meaning
Definition
Present participle of 'mean': intending or signifying something, often in participle phrases.
Example
“Not meaning to be rude, she quietly left the meeting early to catch her last train.”
Another example: “Students often struggle to grasp the deeper meaning of the poem.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Present participle of 'mean', often in participle phrases ('meaning no harm'). Far more common as a noun for sense or significance ('the meaning of the word'). Neutral register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'mǣnan' (to intend) plus the '-ing' ending.
Synonyms
- intending
- signifying
- denoting
- implying
- significant
- significance
- sense
- substance
- pregnant
- import
- signification
Antonyms / Opposites
- meaninglessness
Related Words
Common Collocations
- double meaning
- hidden meaning
- true meaning
- meaning of life
- without meaning
Word Forms
mean (v); meant; meant; meaning (n); meaningful (adj)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
15% of 200 = 30 · 15 is 7.5% of 200
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B