# meaning

/ˈminɪŋ/ (US) · /mˈiːnɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/meaning
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. definition of a word

noun · CEFR A1

the idea or information that a word or sign represents.

For teachers: the semantic content or denotation of a linguistic expression or symbol.

- 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.

### 2. purpose or significance

noun · CEFR B1

the importance or reason for something.

For teachers: the underlying purpose, value, or significance of an action, event, or existence.

- 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.

### 3. intention

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

what someone wants to say or do.

For teachers: the intended message or purpose behind a specific communication or action.

- 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.

### 4. full of significance

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

showing that you have a specific thought or feeling without saying it.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I do not know the meaning of this word.
- The teacher asked the students to guess the meaning of the new vocabulary based on the surrounding sentences.
- Philosophers have long debated whether the meaning of a text is determined by the author's original intent or by the reader's interpretation.

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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.