ENGLISH
REFERENCE

I mean

idiom
Meaning

you use this to correct yourself or to explain something more clearly. It also helps you pause while you think of what to say next.


Examples
SIMPLE

I like cats, I mean, I love them.

CONTEXTUAL

The meeting is at five, I mean, it starts at six tonight.

COMPLEX

His explanation was quite confusing, or I mean, it lacked the necessary details to truly clarify his position.

Last updated April 22, 2026