means
noun OPAL WOPAL S
/miːnz/
/miːnz/
(plural means)
Idioms - [countable] an action, an object or a system by which a result is achieved; a way of achieving or doing something
- means of something Email is a highly effective means of communication.
- The state is in control of the means of production.
- We needed to get to London but we had no means of transport.
- Have you any means of identification?
- means of doing something Is there any means of contacting him?
- as a means of (doing) something Interest rates are used as a means of controlling borrowing.
- means to do something They are using peaceful means to achieve their aims.
- Music is the best means we have to reach a wide audience.
- means to something Equality is an end in itself, not just a means to a goal.
- by… means This weed can be controlled by various means.
Extra Examples- The nations tried to solve their differences by peaceful means.
- Fishing is their only means of livelihood.
- We will use whatever means are necessary.
- Infringement of copyright includes distribution by electronic means.
- They cannot achieve their goal through legal means.
- War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’.
- We will use every possible means to achieve our objective.
- Gold has been the preferred means of exchange for centuries.
- Oil lamps were the sole means of illumination.
- Painting had become his primary means of self-expression.
- We must look for an alternative means of escape.
- We have no means of knowing how they will react.
- The study aims to provide a means of testing the theory.
- Television is an effective means of communication.
- My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- appropriate
- convenient
- effective
- …
- have
- use
- offer (somebody)
- …
- by means (of)
- through means
- means for
- …
- the end justifies the means
- a means to an end
- by any means necessary
- …
- [plural] the money that a person has
- a man of means (= a rich man)
- according to somebody's means People should pay according to their means.
- within somebody's means Are the monthly repayments within your means (= can you afford them)?
- Try to live within your means (= not spend more money than you have).
- beyond somebody's means Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).
- means to do something He doesn't have the means to support a wife and child.
- She must have independent means (= money that she did not earn) to live in such style.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- independent
- private
- limited
- …
- have
- lack
- test
- according to your means
- beyond your means
- within your means
- …
- a man/woman of means
Word Originlate Middle English: plural of mean (noun), the early sense being ‘intermediary’.
Idioms
by all means
- used to say that you are very willing for somebody to have something or do something
- ‘Do you mind if I have a look?’ ‘By all means.’
by fair means or foul
- using dishonest methods if honest ones do not work
- She’s determined to win, by fair means or foul.
by means of something
- (formal) with the help of something
- The load was lifted by means of a crane.
by no means | not by any (manner of) means
- not at all
- She is by no means an inexperienced teacher.
- We haven't won yet, not by any means.
the end justifies the means
- (saying) bad or unfair methods of doing something are acceptable if the result of that action is good or positive
- He defended a morality in which the end justifies the means.
- That's only OK if you believe that the end justifies the means.
a means to an end
- a thing or an action that is not interesting or important in itself but is a way of achieving something else
- He doesn't particularly like the work but he sees it as a means to an end.
- I don't enjoy studying computing—it's just a means to an end.
ways and means
- the methods and materials available for doing something
- ways and means of raising money
- Newspapers have ways and means of getting hold of secret information.