# I mean

idiom · CEFR A2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/i-mean
Updated: 2026-04-22

## 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

- I like cats, I mean, I love them.
- The meeting is at five, I mean, it starts at six tonight.
- His explanation was quite confusing, or I mean, it lacked the necessary details to truly clarify his position.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.