mean
2mean
adj \ˈmēn\Definition of MEAN
2
: lacking in mental discrimination : dull
3
a : of poor shabby inferior quality or status <mean city streets> b : worthy of little regard : contemptible —often used in negative constructions as a term of praise <no mean feat>
4
: lacking dignity or honor : base
5
6
: ashamed 1b
— mean·ness \ˈmēn-nəs\ noun
Examples of MEAN
- For thirty years he had been a ruthless litigator, the meanest, nastiest, and without a doubt one of the most effective courtroom brawlers in Chicago. —John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995
- … the streets of Spanish Harlem are meaner than when he left them, and they're pulling him back in. —Peter Travers, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 1993
- … what you discover is the one with the tail was old mean landlord Mr. prosperous Prospero who wielded without thought of God or man the merry old cat-o'-nine-tails … —Darryl Pinckney, Times Literary Supplement, 23 Aug. 1991
- Creighton Abrams was a tanker, according to George Patton the meanest tanker the Germans had faced in the whole U.S. Third Army, and he had a temper that matched the fearsome machines he loved. —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
- [+]more
Origin of MEAN
Middle English mene, from imene common, shared, from Old English gemǣne; akin to Old High German gimeini common, Latin communis common, munus service, gift, Sanskrit mayate he exchanges
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of MEAN
mean, ignoble, abject, sordid mean being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity. mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity <mean and petty satire>. ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit <an ignoble scramble after material possessions>. abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility <abject poverty>. sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness <a sordid story of murder and revenge>.
Learn More About MEAN
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: meander (noun)
Previous Word in the Dictionary: mealymouthed
All Words Near: mean
Previous Word in the Dictionary: mealymouthed
All Words Near: mean
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up mean? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
