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mean

Word family

ldoce_732_zmean1 /miːn/ S1 W1 verb [transitiveT] (past tensepst and past participlepp meant /ment/) → mien

1 have a particular meaning 有某种意思MEANING to have or represent a particular meaning 意思是，表示…的意思

What does ‘patronizing’ mean?

patronizing是什么意思？

The red light means ‘Stop’.

红灯表示“停”。

The report fails to define what is meant by the term ‘key issues’.

报告没有明确“关键问题”一词指的是什么。

mean (that)

This light means you’re running low on fuel.

这个灯亮说明汽油不多了。

In written English, people often prefer to say that something indicates something is the case, rather than using mean: 在书面英语中，人们往往更喜欢用indicate而不用mean

The light indicates that fuel supplies are low.

这个灯亮说明汽油不多了。

2 intend to say STH 打算说某事MEANING to intend a particular meaning when you say something 意思是说

mean (that)

I meant we’d have to leave early – that’s all.

我的意思是说我们必须早点走——没有别的。

It’s pretty obvious what she means.

她是什么意思很明白。

(do) you mean spoken (=used to check you have understood what someone intended to say) 你的意思是说

Do you mean you’ve changed or Chris has changed?

你是说你变了还是克里斯变了？

do/if you know/see what I mean? spoken (=used to check that someone understands you) 你明白我的意思吧？

I want to buy her something really special, if you know what I mean.

我想给她买一件很特别的东西，你明白我的意思吧。

We’re still married but living apart in the same house, if you see what I mean.

我们仍是夫妻，但在同一个房子里分开住，你懂我的意思了吧。

Oh yeah! I see what you mean (=I understand what you are trying to say).

噢！我明白你的意思。

What I mean is, I don’t feel alone anymore (=used to explain more about what you have said).

我的意思是我不再感到孤单了。

‘I didn’t really like him.’ 'I know what you mean, I didn’t get on with him either (=used to say you understand and have had the same experience).

“我不太喜欢他。”“我知道你的意思，我和他也合不来。”

‘In three hours’ time, I’ll be a free man.‘ ’How do you mean (=used to ask someone to explain what they have just said)?'

“三个小时以后，我就是自由人了。”“你什么意思？”

3 intend to do STH 打算做某事INTEND to intend to do something or intend that someone else should do something 意欲，打算

mean to do something

I’ve been meaning to ask you if you want to come for a meal next week.

我一直想问你，下个星期你想不想来吃顿饭。

I didn’t mean to upset you.

我并不是要让你伤心。

mean somebody/something to do something

I didn’t mean this to happen at all.

我并不想发生这样的事。

I never meant you to find out.

我根本不想让你发现。

mean for somebody to do something especially American EnglishAmE

I didn’t mean for her to get hurt.

我并没有让她受到伤害的意思。

I’m sure she didn’t mean it (=she did not intend to upset or hurt someone).

我肯定她不是故意的。

mean no harm/offence/disrespect (=not intend to harm, offend etc someone) 并不想伤害/冒犯/不恭敬

I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm.

我确信他没有恶意。

He may sound a bit rude at times, but he means well (=intends to be helpful or kind, even if it does not seem like that).

他讲话有时也许是粗鲁了一点，但用意是好的。

I wasn’t criticizing you, I really meant it for the best (=wanted to be helpful, although my actions had the wrong effect).

我不是在批评你，我真的是出于好意。

4 result in STH 导致某事RESULT to have a particular result or involve something 产生…结果；意味着

5 be familiar 熟识 if a name, word etc means something to you, you are familiar with it or you understand it 〔对某个名字、词语等〕十分熟识，能理解

6 say STH seriously 严肃地说某事SERIOUS/NOT JOKING to be serious about what you are saying or writing 当真，说到做到

7 how important SB/STH is 某人/某事有多重要 used for saying how important someone or something is to you 重要，意义重大

8 show STH is true/will happen 表明某事真实/会发生TRUE to be a sign that something is true or will happen 表示；预示

SPOKEN PHRASES

15 mean business DETERMINEDto be determined to do something 是认真的

Examples from the Corpus

mean business• But when it bites, it means business.• They looked as though they meant business.• Those boys knew we meant business.• Zhou had discarded his usual severe tunic for a gray Western business suit, and he meant business.• One of the quintet not only means business but high-minded, selfless business.• This does not necessarily mean businesses must avoid all such one-of-a-kinds whatever their nature.• But as the oil men realised that we meant business, seizures began to drop.• For one local company it's meant business taking off like a rocket.

16 be meant to do something

Examples from the Corpus

be meant to do something• Designed by Robert Von Hagge, it was meant to be hard.• This is the way movie comedies were meant to be: one laugh rolling in just as the last one rolls out.• They are gifts fit for a king, and so they are meant to be.• Christmas time is meant to bring people together.• By the time it was finished, the workings had gone lower than the levels it was meant to drain.• The party was meant to have been a thank-you to the casino staff from the management.• The suit is meant to head off a legal attack against it by Apple which Quorum believes is in the works.• Like it was meant to look an accident.• The new program is meant to put young people in the retail and hospitality industries on a fast-track to management careers.• Jenny is convinced she was meant to stay with Zev.

17 be meant to be good/excellent/bad etc used to say that you have heard or read that something is good, bad etc 听说很好/极出色/很差等

18 be meant for somebody/something INTENDto be intended for a particular person or purpose 为某人[某目的]而准备的

Examples from the Corpus

be meant for somebody/something• I think this fork is meant for barbecuing.• Innocent's building at the Vatican was fortified with towers and an encircling wall and was meant for longer residence.• Nina got up and smiled a smile that was meant for no-one.• From the moment that they were introduced it was plain that they were meant for one another.• His friend got bitten by a snake that was meant for Ray.• Like illusionistic painting in general, this technique of mosaic was meant for the distant view.• Wisteria branches, for example, eventually grow to tree-size width and are meant for the sturdiest pergolas and arbors.• The only fan in Motherhouse is in the parlour and is meant for visitors.• Then this ad is meant for you.

19 be meant for somebody SUITABLEif two people are meant for each other, they are very suitable as partners for each other 适合某人

Examples from the Corpus

be meant for somebody• Innocent's building at the Vatican was fortified with towers and an encircling wall and was meant for longer residence.• Nina got up and smiled a smile that was meant for no-one.• From the moment that they were introduced it was plain that they were meant for one another.• His friend got bitten by a snake that was meant for Ray.• Like illusionistic painting in general, this technique of mosaic was meant for the distant view.• Wisteria branches, for example, eventually grow to tree-size width and are meant for the sturdiest pergolas and arbors.• The only fan in Motherhouse is in the parlour and is meant for visitors.• Then this ad is meant for you.

20 somebody was never meant for something/to be something SUITABLEused to say that someone is not at all suitable for a particular job or activity 某人根本不是从事某种工作[活动]的料

21 something was meant to be/happen CERTAINLY/DEFINITELYused to say that you think a situation was certain to happen and that no one could have prevented it 某事注定要发生

Examples from the Corpus

something was meant to be/happen• Perhaps it's because none of this was meant to happen.• Imprinted with cell bars, the first Tricky Envelope was meant to be festooned with the Richard Nixon stamp.• Designed by Robert Von Hagge, it was meant to be hard.• She was meant to be illustrating a new book for children, a fantasy story by a well-known author.• Technically he was meant to be in bed.• The fit crew was meant to be Merrill Lynch.• Our protest was meant to be purely symbolic.• It was meant to be some kind of joke.

22 know/understand what it means to be something UNDERSTANDto have experienced a particular situation, so that you know what it is like 知道/理解某事的滋味

Examples from the Corpus

know/understand what it means to be something• If you are overweight, then you know what it means to be in emotional pain.

n GRAMMAR: Using the progressive

Mean is not used in the progressive in any of its senses, except for sense 3. You say:

What does this word mean?

This means trouble.

✗Don’t say: What is this word meaning? | This is meaning trouble.

5 FREQUENCY 使用频率

Examples from the Corpus

mean• She's kind of irritable, if you know what I mean.• Do you know what "ambidextrous" means?• He said Sarah was a very close friend, but I'm not sure what he meant.• High interest rates and high inflation mean a recession is not far away.• It says "not suitable for children", which means anyone under 16.• The strength of the pound means bikes are much cheaper to buy on the continent than over here.• "Poultry" means chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese.• In practice this means for men.• Does this mean I can't go to the wedding?• I mean it - I'll scream if you don't let me go.• Just because it's red doesn't mean it's cherry-flavored.• His new responsibilities at work mean Leroy will rarely see his children.• Cloudy water from the taps usually means problems with your storage tank.• If A is false, does that also mean proposition B is false?• Dark clouds usually mean rain.• Her car's not there, so that must mean she's gone to pick him up.• Frank's surgery residency means staying in Albuquerque another five years.• "Downsizing" simply means that firms are tending to buy smaller computers to do jobs which used to require big ones.• Bush's tax cuts and the slowing economy mean that Pentagon policy choices will have to be made this year.• Since the amount of information to be conveyed remains much the same this means that the signal-to-noise ratio will be worse.• I meant that we would have to leave early, that's all.• A free economy does not mean the absence of any economic control.• Oh, you mean the blue shorts.• It is much quicker, and it means the same, if we say Yes I do or Yes I think so.• That was the point Henry Hyde meant to make about opinion polls.• Similarly, some words which are meant to stir can leave others unmoved.• And I meant what I said about you at the start of this.• I meant what I said, I never want to see you again.

mean (that)• It means accepting power as natural and necessary to decision making regardless of formal structure.• In terms of the Chart this means controlling the order in which hypotheses are taken off the Agenda and added to the search space.• Maybe Claire means it's all right, she only needs one more hanky.• You talk of family and you mean one ruthless and callous renegade.• It's not a problem, it just means that we can't use this information.• In the home this usually means the telephone line, which is fine for voice but excruciatingly slow for data.• Their life tenure means they defy patronage.• But that means you have to fight so damn hard to get even with the system.• I mean, you've heard all his New Age stuff about them being soul mates destined for each other.

I know what you mean• But I knew what he meant.• I saw the way Rohan looked at you. I knew what it meant.• Looking for family-right, Aunt Marie, I know what you mean.• Now I knew what they meant.• Oh, I know what you mean.• She didn't say which few, but I knew what she meant.

meant it for the best• I only meant it for the best.

mean (that)• It means accepting power as natural and necessary to decision making regardless of formal structure.• In terms of the Chart this means controlling the order in which hypotheses are taken off the Agenda and added to the search space.• Maybe Claire means it's all right, she only needs one more hanky.• You talk of family and you mean one ruthless and callous renegade.• In the home this usually means the telephone line, which is fine for voice but excruciatingly slow for data.• Their life tenure means they defy patronage.• But that means you have to fight so damn hard to get even with the system.• I mean, you've heard all his New Age stuff about them being soul mates destined for each other.

mean something to• But she couldn't let him see that it had meant something to her.• He is willing to extend his generosity to people who mean something to him or are of the same religion.• It may have been at this time that the name Saladin began to mean something to him.• Old Eddy meant something to him.• But it means something to them.• We love that we meant something to them.• It did mean something to us.• It dawned on me I really meant something to you, you know.

really mean• How far away that really means.• However, when business schools say that they can effectively teach entrepreneurial skills, what do they really mean?• People kept asking us: What does it really mean?• That sounds like motherhood and apple pie until we examine what full employment really means.• This really means cutting in angled sweeps, allowing the double blade to cut on the forward and return arc.• Anna hadn't really meant here, but she felt she'd better not say anything.• And it really means nothing if you don't beat a Michigan team that you should.• Whatever that phrase really means, Tuesday's program Twentieth-Century Landscapes showed how freely composers exploited sound in the past century.

meant something• In these quiet, comforting moments the promises they made meant something, and gave him hope for the future.• But until 1800 it meant something different from what it does today.• One life? as if it meant something special.• But she couldn't let him see that it had meant something to her.• The name meant something to me.• We love that we meant something to them.• Second, I wanted a school noted for its education, or a degree that meant something where I wanted to live.• I was one of the last fortunate people because winning still meant something.

mean (that)• It means accepting power as natural and necessary to decision making regardless of formal structure.• In terms of the Chart this means controlling the order in which hypotheses are taken off the Agenda and added to the search space.• Maybe Claire means it's all right, she only needs one more hanky.• You talk of family and you mean one ruthless and callous renegade.• In the home this usually means the telephone line, which is fine for voice but excruciatingly slow for data.• Their life tenure means they defy patronage.• But that means you have to fight so damn hard to get even with the system.• I mean, you've heard all his New Age stuff about them being soul mates destined for each other.

Related topics: Maths, Measurement

mean2 S3 adjectiveadj (comparativecomp meaner, superlativesupl meanest)

1 UNKINDcruel 残酷的 cruel or not kind 残酷的；不善良的；刻薄的

2 not generous 吝啬的 British EnglishBrEGENEROUS not wanting to spend money, or not wanting to use much of something 吝啬的 SYN stingy, American English cheap

3 no mean feat/achievement/task etc DIFFICULTsomething that is very difficult to do, so that someone who does it deserves to be admired 不小的业绩/成就/任务等

Examples from the Corpus

no mean feat/achievement/task etc• But that was no mean achievement.• For an immigrant boy this marital alliance was no mean achievement.• Given that there are some 20,000 such fastenings in a boat of this size, this is no mean feat.• In particular the notion that nurse training is for the young and for women only must be dispelled; no mean task.• In this case it was no mean task.• This is no mean feat as the statute has 108 sections divided into 12 separate parts, together with 15 schedules.• This is no mean task, especially if they have not been doing any recruitment for the past few months.• On Tuesday Invergordon Distillers reported a marginal improvement in underlying profits, no mean feat given the difficulties facing the whisky sector.

4 be no mean performer/player etc GOOD/EXCELLENTto be very good at doing something 是一位了不起的演员/球员等

Examples from the Corpus

be no mean performer/player etc• Kinnock fils, who is no mean performer on the rugby field, has developed a taste for academe.

5 a mean something informalGOOD AT used to say that something is very good or that someone is very good at doing something 很好的某事物；很拿手的某事

Examples from the Corpus

a mean something• Stritch plays a mean piano.• They always put on a mean Sunday brunch.

6 average 平均的 [only before noun] technicalHM average 平均

7 poor 破旧的 [only before noun] literaryPOOR poor or looking poor 简陋的，难看的，破旧的

—meanly adverbadv

—meanness noun [uncountableU]

Examples from the Corpus

mean• There's no reason to be mean.• We soon found out that our new teacher could be real mean.• Now with Sam gone Helen will get meaner and meaner to me like always.• Rick's so mean he never even buys his wife a birthday present.• He's so mean, he won't even buy his wife a birthday present.• The mean labelling indices did not change significantly over time regardless of whether or not there were recurrences.• The mean length of stay in the hospital is 11 days.• The disparity between solar noon and mean noon widens and narrows as the seasons change, on a sliding scale.• It was mean of you to disturb her when she was having a rest.• My father was a mean old man who resented every penny he spent on us.• In the garden grey airs blow moist, but the mean sky holds on to its water.• I never thought he was capable of doing such a mean thing to his brother.• Sharon and the others were really mean to me at school today.• He was mean to those who worked for him and generous to those who he hardly knew.• That was a mean trick.• She hated him for being so mean. Why was he stopping her from seeing her friends?• Marsha has always been mean with her money.

mean to• Mom, Laverne is being mean to me.

mean3 noun

1 the mean technicalHM the average amount, figure, or value 平均数，平均值

Examples from the Corpus

the mean• The mean of 6,9, and 12 is 9.

2 the/a mean between something and something MIDDLEa method of doing something which is between two very different methods, and better than either of them 的中庸之道，…的折中办法〔介于两种不同办法之间而比两者都好的一种办法〕

Examples from the Corpus

the/a mean between something and something• It's a case of finding the mean between firmness and compassion.• A Nothing in comparison with the Infinite, an All in comparison with the Nothing, a mean between nothing and everything.

→ means

Examples from the Corpus

mean• As for the rapists, I bet they are unsuccessful in attracting females, and so resort to desperate means.• But success was by no means guaranteed.• By no means, Watson; even now quite a few scientists continue to doubt.• The poorer ones lack the means to get out, and keep getting caught.• In some of the other states, the usual means of locomotion was still a horse and wagon.

From Longman Business Dictionary

meanmean1 /miːn/ adjectiveadj [only before a noun]

STATISTICS average

Analysts’ mean estimate is for earnings of 33 cents a share.

meanmean2 noun

the meanSTATISTICS the average

The GDP of this state was 32% below the mean for the country as a whole.

→ arithmetic mean

Origin mean1

Old English mænan

mean2

1. Old English gemæne

2. (1300-1400) Old French meien, from Latin medianus; → MEDIAN2

mean3

(1300-1400) Old French meien, from meien “in the middle”; → MEAN2

mean1 verb

→10-16

→n GRAMMAR1 →REGISTER1 →5 FREQUENCY1 →SPOKEN PHRASES1mean2 adjectiveadjmean3 noun

LDOCE Online

Chinese

Corpus

TOEFL IELTS BNC: 121 COCA: 154

mean

adjective¹

unkind不善良

VERBS | ADVERB | PREPOSITION

VERBS

➤be, feel, seem刻薄；感覺刻薄；似乎刻薄

▸➤become變得刻薄

ADVERB

➤extremely, fairly, very, etc.極其／相當／非常刻薄

◇That was a pretty mean trick.那把戲可是夠卑鄙的。

PREPOSITION

➤to對⋯刻薄

◇He's so mean to his mother!他對他媽媽太刻薄了！

mean

adjective²

(BrE)

not generous不慷慨

VERBS | ADVERB | PREPOSITION

VERBS

➤be, seem吝嗇；似乎吝嗇

▸➤become變得吝嗇

ADVERB

➤extremely, fairly, very, etc.極其／相當／非常吝嗇

◇I thought it was really mean of him not to pay for the meal.我覺得他沒掏那頓飯錢真是摳門。

➤a little, slightly, etc.有點兒／略有些吝嗇

◇He's a little mean when it comes to spending money on the children.在孩子身上花錢他有點兒吝嗇。

PREPOSITION

➤with在⋯方面吝嗇

◇She's very mean with her money.她花錢很小氣。

TOEFL IELTS BNC: 121 COCA: 154

mean adj.
⇨ mean 1 (a mean thing to do) ⇨ mean 2 (mean with money)mean verb
⇨ mean 1 (What does this sentence mean?) ⇨ mean 2 (What do you mean by that remark?) ⇨ mean 3 (This new order will mean working overtime.) ⇨ design 2 (His father meant him to be an engineer.) ⇨ intend (I didn't mean to hurt you.)mean

adjective

a mean thing to do 这么做不厚道

mean with money 用钱很吝啬

mean

♦︎

nasty

♦︎

unkind

♦︎

obnoxious

♦︎

objectionable

♦︎

hurtful

♦︎

unpleasantThese words all describe people not being kind. 这些词均表示刻薄的、不友好的。

SYNONYM SCALE 词义标尺

下图显示这些词所表达不友好的程度

unkind	➔	mean	➔	obnoxious
objectionable		nasty
unpleasant		hurtful

PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配

◆to be mean / nasty / unkind / obnoxious / objectionable / hurtful / unpleasant to sb

◆to be mean / nasty about sb

◆to be mean / nasty / unkind of sb (to do sth)

◆to be mean / nasty / unkind to do sth

◆a mean / a nasty / an unkind / a hurtful thing to say / do

◆a nasty / an unkind / a hurtful remark

◆a nasty / an obnoxious / an unpleasant little man

◆very mean / nasty / unkind / objectionable / hurtful / unpleasant

◆really mean / nasty / obnoxious / objectionable / unpleasant

◆rather mean / nasty / unkind / hurtful / unpleasant

■ mean

(rather informal,

especially spoken)

not kind, for example by not letting sb have or do sth 刻薄的；不厚道的

◆Don't be so mean to your little brother!别对你弟弟那么刻薄！

◆I thought it was really mean of him not to let her use the car.他不让她用车，我觉得这真是太不近人情了。

◆He has a mean streak in him (= an unpleasant side to his character).他生性有点儿刻薄。

OPP

generous ⇨

kind

adj.

■ nasty

(rather informal,

especially spoken)

not kind, especially in what you say to or about sb else （尤指言辞）不友好的，恶意的；说别人坏话的

◆She's always making nasty remarks about people.她总是说别人的坏话。

◆She was nasty about (= said nasty things about) everyone.她对什么人都没有好话。

◆He has a nasty temper.他脾气很坏。

OPP

nice ⇨

nice

■ unkind

not kind or friendly 不厚道的；不友善的；刻薄的

◆He was never actually unkind to them.其实他从没有对他们不好。

◆It would be unkind to go without him.甩掉他那就太不够朋友了。

◆She never said anything unkind about anyone.她从未说过任何人的坏话。

ⓘ Unkind is often used as a softer way of saying mean or nasty. * unkind常用作mean或nasty的较温和的说法。

OPP

kind ⇨

kind

adj.

see also

cruel ⇨

cruel

▸

unkindly

adverb

◆I'm sure it wasn't meant unkindly.我肯定那没有恶意。

■ obnoxious

əbˈnɒkʃəs; NAmE əbˈnɑːkʃəs

extremely unpleasant, especially in a way that is offensive or unkind 令人反感的；极讨厌的；可憎的

◆What an obnoxious little man!多么可恶的卑鄙小人！

■ objectionable

əbˈdʒekʃənəbl

(rather formal)

(especially of people and their behaviour or attitudes) unpleasant or offensive （尤指人、行为或态度）令人不快的，令人反感的，讨厌的

◆His views on race are quite objectionable.他对种族问题的看法令人十分反感。

■ hurtful

(especially of things sb says or writes) unkind and making you feel upset and offended （尤指言语或文章）伤感情的，尖锐刻薄的

◆I cannot forget the hurtful things he said.我无法忘记他说的那些伤感情的话。

see also

hurt ⇨

distress

noun

hurt ⇨

hurt

verb

■ unpleasant

(rather formal)

not kind, friendly or polite 不友善的；不客气的；不礼貌的

◆He was very unpleasant to me.他对我很凶。

◆She said some very unpleasant things about you.她说了你一些很难听的话。

ⓘ Unpleasant suggests that sb is being rude or saying insulting things. * unpleasant表示某人粗鲁无礼或出言不逊。

OPP

pleasant ⇨

friendly

mean

verb

What does this sentence mean? 这个句子是什么意思？

What do you mean by that remark? 你说那话是什么意思？

This new order will mean working overtime. 这新订单一来，我们就得加班加点。

➡ See also the entry for

suggest

另见suggest条

mean

♦︎

mark

♦︎

signal

♦︎

signify

♦︎

denoteThese words all mean to be a sign that sth exists or is likely to happen. 这些词均表示表明、预示。

PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配

◆to mean / signify sth to sb

◆to mean / signify that...

◆to mean / mark / signal / signify / denote a change in sth

◆to mean / mark / signal / signify / denote the beginning / start / arrival / end of sth

◆to clearly mean / mark / signal / signify / denote sth

■ mean

(

meant

, meant

)

[transitive]

(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)

to have sth as a meaning; to be a sign that sth has just happened or is going to happen 表示⋯的意思；是⋯的迹象；表明；预示

◆What does this sentence mean?这个句子是什么意思？

◆What is meant by 'batch processing'?“批处理”是什么意思？

◆Does the name 'David Berwick' mean anything to you (= do you know who he is)?你知道戴维•贝里克是谁吗？

◆The flashing light means (that) you must stop.闪烁的灯光表示你必须停下。

◆Mr President, does this mean an end to the current conflict?总统先生，这是否表示当前的冲突结束了呢？

■ mark

[transitive]

(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)

(especially written,

~~journalism 新闻~~)

to be a sign that sth has just happened or is going to happen 是⋯的迹象；表明；预示

◆The agreement marks a new phase in international relations.该协议标志着国际关系新时期的到来。

■ signal

(

-ll-

, NAmE

-l-

)

[transitive]

(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)

(rather formal,

especially written,

~~journalism 新闻~~)

to be a sign that sth has just happened or is going to happen 是⋯的迹象；表明；预示

◆The scandal surely signals the end of his political career.毫无疑问，这桩丑闻预示他的政治生涯就此结束。

NOTE 辨析 Mean, mark or signal?These words can all mean 'be a sign that sth has just happened or is going to happen': mean is used most frequently in spoken English, but mark and signal are used more frequently in this meaning in written English, especially in journalism. 这些词均可表示“是⋯的迹象、表明、预示”。mean最常用于口语，mark和signal表达此义时较常用于书面语，尤用于新闻报道。

■ signify

ˈsɪgnɪfaɪ

[transitive]

(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)

(rather formal)

to be a sign of sth; to have a particular meaning 表示；说明；意指

◆This decision signified a radical change in their policies.这个决定表明他们的政策发生了根本的变化。

◆This mark signifies that the products conform to an approved standard.这个标志说明这些产品符合认可的标准。

■ denote

dɪˈnəʊt; NAmE dɪˈnoʊt

[transitive]

(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)

(formal)

to be a sign of sth; to have a particular meaning 表示；说明；意指

◆A very high temperature often denotes a serious illness.高烧往往表明病得很重。

NOTE 辨析 Signal, signify or denote? Signal suggests that sth makes people realize sth; signify and denote usually suggest that one thing has a particular meaning, especially an official or accepted meaning. * signal意味着某物使人意识到什么；signify和denote通常指某物有特定的含义，尤其是官方或认可的含义

◆The white belt signifies / denotes that he's an absolute beginner.白腰带表示他完全是个新手。

However, signify can suggest a more complicated meaning than denote, including the ideas suggested by a word or expression. 不过，signify可表示比denote更为复杂的含义，包括词或短语所暗含的意义

◆What does the term 'patrician' signify (= what does it mean and what might it suggest)?“贵族”一词有什么含义？

◆The Hebrew term used here simply denotes a young girl (= it does not mean or suggest anything more than that).此处的希伯来词语仅仅是“年轻女孩”的意思。

mean

verb

What does this sentence mean? 这个句子是什么意思？

What do you mean by that remark? 你说那话是什么意思？

This new order will mean working overtime. 这新订单一来，我们就得加班加点。

mean

♦︎

suggest

♦︎

hint

♦︎

imply

♦︎

intend

♦︎

what sb is getting/driving at

♦︎

insinuateThese words all mean to intend to say sth, or to say sth in an indirect way. 这些词均表示本意是、暗示、意指。

PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配

◆to mean / intend sth by / as sth

◆to mean / suggest / hint / imply / insinuate that...

◆to suggest / imply agreement / acceptance

◆to suggest / imply an intention

◆to seem / appear to mean / suggest / hint / imply sth

◆to (not) mean / intend to suggest / imply sth

◆to suggest / hint / imply sth clearly / strongly

■ mean

(

meant

, meant

)

[transitive]

(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)

(especially spoken)

to intend to say sth on a particular occasion 意思是；本意是

◆What did he mean by that remark?他说那话是什么意思？

◆'Perhaps we should try another approach.' 'What do you mean?(= I don't understand what you are suggesting.)'“也许我们应该试一试别的方法。”“什么意思？”

◆What do you mean, you thought I wouldn't mind?(= of course I mind and I am very angry.) 你这是什么意思，你以为我会不在意吗？

◆I know what you mean (= I understand and feel sympathy). I hated learning to drive too.我明白你的意思。我也不愿学开车。

◆I see what you mean (= I understand although I may not agree), but I still think it's worth trying.我知道你是什么意思，但我仍然认为那值得一试。

◆'But Pete doesn't know we're here!' 'That's what I mean!(= that's what I have been trying to tell you.)'“可是皮特不知道我们在这儿呀！”“我就是这个意思嘛！”

◆Did he mean (that) he was dissatisfied with our service?他是不是表示对我们的服务不满意？

◆You mean (= are you telling me) we have to start all over again?你是不是说我们得从头再来一遍？

■ suggest

[transitive]

(used especially in negative statements and questions 尤用于否定陈述和疑问句)

to state an opinion indirectly 暗示；言下之意是说

◆Are you suggesting (that) I'm lazy?你言下之意是说我懒？

◆I would never suggest such a thing.我根本不会有这样的意思。

see also

suggestion ⇨

suggestion

■ hint

[intransitive

, transitive]

to suggest that sth might be true without saying so directly 暗示；透露；示意

◆What are you hinting at?你在暗示什么？

◆They hinted (that) there might be more job losses.他们暗示说可能会有更多人失业。

see also

hint ⇨

suggestion

noun

NOTE 辨析 Suggest or hint?People use suggest especially in questions to ask sb if they feel or think sth, or in negative statements to deny that they do. Hint is used when people give facts or talk about possibilities in an indirect way. * suggest尤用于疑问句中询问某人是否有某种感受或想法，或用于否定陈述中对某种感受或想法加以否认。hint表示以间接的方式说出事实或讨论可能性。

■ imply

ɪmˈplaɪ

[transitive]

(rather formal)

to suggest that sth is true or that you feel or think sth, without saying so directly 含有⋯的意思；暗示；暗指

◆His silence seemed to imply agreement.他的沉默似乎暗示着同意。

◆I disliked the implied criticism in his voice.我讨厌他暗含批评的口吻。

■ intend

[transitive]

(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)

(rather formal)

to plan that sth should have a particular meaning 意指

◆What exactly did you intend by that remark?你那句话到底想说什么？

◆He intended it as a joke.他只想开个玩笑。

■ what sb is ˈgetting at

■ what sb is ˈdriving at

idiom

(informal,

spoken)

the thing that sb is trying to say or suggest 某人的用意；某人话中的意思

◆I'm partly to blame? What exactly are you getting at?我应负部分责任？你究竟是什么意思？

■ insinuate

ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt

[transitive]

(rather formal,

disapproving)

to suggest that sth unpleasant is true, without saying so directly 暗示，拐弯抹角地指出（不快的事）

◆The article insinuated that he was having an affair with his friend's wife.文章含沙射影地点出他和朋友的妻子有染。

◆What are you trying to insinuate?你拐弯抹角想说什么？

mean

verb

What does this sentence mean? 这个句子是什么意思？

What do you mean by that remark? 你说那话是什么意思？

This new order will mean working overtime. 这新订单一来，我们就得加班加点。

mean

♦︎

involve

♦︎

entail

♦︎

imply

♦︎

necessitate

♦︎

spellThese words all mean to have sth as a necessary or likely part or result. 这些词均表示意味着、包含、需要。

PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配

◆sth means / implies that...

◆sth means / involves / entails / implies / necessitates a / an increase / reduction

◆sth involves / entails / implies risk

◆sth usually / inevitably / necessarily / actually means / involves / entails / implies sth

◆sth ordinarily / typically means / involves sth

■ mean

(

meant

, meant

)

[transitive]

(of an action or situation) to have sth as a result or a likely result （行为或状况）产生⋯结果，意味着

◆Spending too much now will mean a shortage of cash next year.现在花销太多就意味着明年现金短缺。

◆Do you have any idea what it means to be poor?你知不知道贫穷意味着什么？

◆We'll have to be careful with money but that doesn't mean (that) we can't enjoy ourselves.我们得要精打细算，可那也不是说我们就不能过得快乐。

◆This new order will mean working overtime.这新订单一来，我们就得加班加点。

■ involve

[transitive]

(especially written)

(of an action or situation) to have sth as a necessary or important part （行为或状况）包含，需要，带有

◆Any investment involves an element of risk.任何投资都有一定的风险。

◆Many of the crimes involved drugs.许多罪案都与毒品有关。

◆The test will involve answering questions about a photograph.考试的内容将包括看图答题。

■ entail

ɪnˈteɪl

[transitive]

(rather formal,

especially written)

to involve sth that cannot be avoided, especially in order to achieve sth 牵涉，需要，使必要（尤指为了达成某事）

◆The job entails a lot of hard work.这工作需要付出大量艰苦的努力。

◆The girls learn exactly what is entailed in caring for a newborn baby.姑娘们学的正是怎样照顾新生儿。

◆It will entail driving a long distance every day.这意味着每天都要长途驾驶。

NOTE 辨析 Involve or entail?In many cases you can use either word. 在许多情况下这两个词可以通用

◆The job involves / entails a lot of hard work.这工作需要付出大量艰苦的努力。

◆to involve / entail answering questions / driving a long distance / loss / rejection / destruction / cost / risk包括回答一些问题；需要长途驾驶；造成损失；遭到拒绝；造成破坏；产生费用；包含风险

However, a problem might involve an aspect, such as drugs or violence, that is not necessary to achieve sth, but defines the nature of the problem. Entail cannot be used in this way. 不过，involve可指问题涉及某一方面，如跟drug或violence搭配，这界定了问题的性质，而非问题的成因。entail没有这种用法

◆Many of the crimes entailed drugs/violence.

■ imply

ɪmˈplaɪ

[transitive]

(rather formal,

especially written)

(of an idea or action) to make sth necessary in order to be successful （思想或行为）必然包含，使有必要

◆The project implies an enormous investment in training.这个项目需要投入巨额的培训费。

◆Sustainable development implies a long-term perspective.可持续发展需要有长远眼光。

▸

implication

ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃn

noun

[countable

, usually plural]

◆The development of the site will have implications for the surrounding countryside.这个地点的开发将会影响周围的乡村。

◆They failed to consider the wider implications of their actions.他们没有考虑到自己的行为会产生更广泛的影响。

■ necessitate

nəˈsesɪteɪt

[transitive]

(formal)

(of an event or situation) to make sth necessary （事件或状况）使成为必要

◆Recent financial scandals have necessitated changes in parliamentary procedures.最近的金融丑闻使得议会程序必须改革。

◆Increased traffic necessitated widening the road.交通量增大了，道路需要拓宽。

see also

necessary ⇨

necessary

necessity ⇨

need

noun

■ spell

(

spelt

, spelt

spelled

, spelled

)

[transitive]

(of an event) to have sth, usually sth bad, as a result （事件）招致，意味着（通常是坏事）

◆The crop failure spelt disaster for many farmers.对许多农民来说，庄稼歉收意味着灾难。

◆This defeat spelt the end of his hopes of winning the title again.这场失利使他再次夺冠的希望破灭了。

mean

adjective

a mean thing to do 这么做不厚道

mean with money 用钱很吝啬

mean

♦︎

frugal

♦︎

cheap

♦︎

thrifty

♦︎

stingyThese words all describe sb who is not willing to give or share things, especially money. 这些词均表示吝啬的、小气的。

PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配

◆mean / frugal / stingy with sth

■ mean

(BrE,

disapproving)

not willing to give or share things, especially money; given unwillingly and in small quantities 吝啬的；小气的；给得不多的

◆They were too mean to buy the kids proper beds.他们太小气了，连像样的床都不给孩子买。

◆Don't be so mean with the chocolate sauce.别那么舍不得放巧克力酱。

◆It was difficult to manage the department on such a mean budget.预算这么紧，管理这个部门不容易。

OPP

generous ⇨

generous

■ frugal

ˈfruːgl

using only as much money or food as is necessary （对金钱、食物等）节约的，节俭的

◆The monks lead a frugal existence in their isolated monastery.那些僧侣在偏远的寺院里过着俭朴的生活。

■ cheap

(NAmE,

informal,

disapproving)

not willing to spend money 小气的；抠门儿的

◆Don't be so cheap!别这么小气！

◆She was just too cheap to buy a real present.她就是太抠门儿了，舍不得买一件像样的礼物。

■ thrifty

(approving)

careful about spending money; not wasting things 节约的；节俭的

◆He was brought up to be thrifty and never to get into debt.他从小就被教导勤俭节约，绝不欠债。

■ stingy

ˈstɪndʒi

(informal,

disapproving)

mean 吝啬的；小气的；给得不多的

◆Don't be so stingy with the cream!别那么舍不得放奶油！

◆It was a stingy offer and he turned it down.报价很小气，他回绝了。

NOTE 辨析 Mean, cheap or stingy?The main differences between these words are in geography and register. Mean is British, stingy is informal and cheap is American and informal. Mean and stingy can describe a person or an amount of money, but cheap can only describe a person. 这些词的主要区别在于使用的地域和语体风格。mean用于英式英语，stingy是非正式用语，cheap用于美式英语，也是非正式用语。mean和stingy可描述人或一定数额的钱，但cheap只可描述人。