Word
meaning
Phoneticsmean·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈminɪŋ/
UK/mˈiːnɪŋ/
Definitions
01definition of a word
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. the idea or information that a word or sign represents.
n. the semantic content or denotation of a linguistic expression or symbol.
日本語:意味※
“If you do not know the meaning of a word, you should look it up in a dictionary.”
“The precise meaning of the term remains a subject of intense debate among historical linguists and philologists.”
Synonyms
02purpose or significance
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the importance or reason for something.
n. the underlying purpose, value, or significance of an action, event, or existence.
日本語:意義※
“Many people travel to different countries to find more meaning in their lives.”
“The artist argued that the true meaning of the sculpture was found in the viewer's emotional reaction rather than the creator's intent.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03intention
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Formal
n. what someone wants to say or do.
n. the intended message or purpose behind a specific communication or action.
日本語:意味※
“I am sorry if I offended you; that was not my meaning at all.”
“The legal team scrutinised the contract to ensure the meaning of the clause was clear and left no room for misinterpretation.”
04full of significance
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. showing that you have a specific thought or feeling without saying it.
adj. conveying a specific intention or significance through non-verbal cues; expressive.
“She gave him a meaning look across the dinner table.”
“The silence between them was meaning, suggesting a shared understanding that required no further verbal confirmation.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “meaning” in context.
Real-World Examples
“But finding meaning doesn’t have to be a lofty quest, Burnett says – you can start making your life feel more meaningful today.” “Scientists have found that having a positive impact on other people seems to be a key element to feeling like our life has meaning.” Etymology
From Middle English mening, menyng, equivalent to mean + -ing. Cognate with Scots mening (“intent, purpose, sense, meaning”), West Frisian miening (“opinion, mind”), Dutch mening (“view, opinion, judgement”), German Meinung (“opinion, view, mind, idea”), Danish and Swedish mening (“meaning, sense, sentence, opinion”), Icelandic meining (“meaning”).
From mean + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. take the meaning
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/meaning
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0