meaning
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.the idea or information that a word or sign represents.
n.the semantic content or denotation of a linguistic expression or symbol.
Simple“If you do not know the meaning of a word, you should look it up in a dictionary.”
In context“The precise meaning of the term remains a subject of intense debate among historical linguists and philologists.”
Synonymsdefinitiondenotation - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.the importance or reason for something.
n.the underlying purpose, value, or significance of an action, event, or existence.
Simple“Many people travel to different countries to find more meaning in their lives.”
In context“The artist argued that the true meaning of the sculpture was found in the viewer's emotional reaction rather than the creator's intent.”
SynonymsAntonymsinsignificanceemptiness - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.what someone wants to say or do.
n.the intended message or purpose behind a specific communication or action.
Simple“I am sorry if I offended you; that was not my meaning at all.”
In context“The legal team scrutinised the contract to ensure the meaning of the clause was clear and left no room for misinterpretation.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“She gave him a meaning look across the dinner table.”
In context“The silence between them was meaning, suggesting a shared understanding that required no further verbal confirmation.”
SynonymsAntonymsblankexpressionless
Usage clarify meaning · convey meaning · give meaning
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.