mean – English verb conjugation

English verb forms of mean

Nominal Forms

Infinitive: to mean
Participle: meant
Gerund: meaning

Cognates

See the 5 cognates of mean

Indicative

Present

Imean
youmean
he;she;itmeans
wemean
youmean
theymean

Perfect

Ihave meant
youhave meant
he;she;ithas meant
wehave meant
youhave meant
theyhave meant

Past

Imeant
youmeant
he;she;itmeant
wemeant
youmeant
theymeant

Pluperfect

Ihad meant
youhad meant
he;she;ithad meant
wehad meant
youhad meant
theyhad meant

Future

Iwill mean
youwill mean
he;she;itwill mean
wewill mean
youwill mean
theywill mean

Future Perfect

Iwill have meant
youwill have meant
he;she;itwill have meant
wewill have meant
youwill have meant
theywill have meant

Subjunctive

Present

Imean
youmean
he;she;itmean
wemean
youmean
theymean

Perfect

Ihave meant
youhave meant
he;she;ithave meant
wehave meant
youhave meant
theyhave meant

Imperfect

Imeant
youmeant
he;she;itmeant
wemeant
youmeant
theymeant

Pluperfect

Ihad meant
youhad meant
he;she;ithad meant
wehad meant
youhad meant
theyhad meant

Conditional

Present

Iwould mean
youwould mean
he;she;itwould mean
wewould mean
youwould mean
theywould mean

Perfect

Iwould have meant
youwould have meant
he;she;itwould have meant
wewould have meant
youwould have meant
theywould have meant

Imperative

youmean
weLet's mean
youmean

Progressive (Continuous) Forms

Indicative

Present

Iam meaning
youare meaning
he;she;itis meaning
weare meaning
youare meaning
theyare meaning

Perfect

Ihave been meaning
youhave been meaning
he;she;ithas been meaning
wehave been meaning
youhave been meaning
theyhave been meaning

Past

Iwas meaning
youwere meaning
he;she;itwas meaning
wewere meaning
youwere meaning
theywere meaning

Pluperfect

Ihad been meaning
youhad been meaning
he;she;ithad been meaning
wehad been meaning
youhad been meaning
theyhad been meaning

Future

Iwill be meaning
youwill be meaning
he;she;itwill be meaning
wewill be meaning
youwill be meaning
theywill be meaning

Future Perfect

Iwill have been meaning
youwill have been meaning
he;she;itwill have been meaning
wewill have been meaning
youwill have been meaning
theywill have been meaning

Conditional

Present

Iwould be meaning
youwould be meaning
he;she;itwould be meaning
wewould be meaning
youwould be meaning
theywould be meaning

Perfect

Iwould have been meaning
youwould have been meaning
he;she;itwould have been meaning
wewould have been meaning
youwould have been meaning
theywould have been meaning

Other

Verbs similar to 'mean'

bean, dean, ean, hean, lean, man, meal, meat, meaw, moan,

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

to indicate that some event will occur
signify, spell
informal|have as its consequence
equal, result in, spell
have set as one's purpose
aim, intend, plan, purpose, set out
intend
propose, contemplate, anticipate, expect, design, foreordain, purpose, predestinate

Additional Information

Cf. Old English weak verbs dǣlan (deal), lǣfan (leave) and mǣnan (mean).

Phrasal Verbs

Etymology

1. O.E. mænan "to mean, tell, say, complain," from W.Gmc. *mainijanan (cf. O.Fris. mena, Du. menen, Ger. meinen to think, suppose, be of the opinion"), from PIE *meino- "opinion, intent" (cf. O.C.S. meniti "to think, have an opinion," O.Ir. mian "wish, desire," Welsh mwyn "enjoyment"), probably from base *men- "think." Meaningful first attested 1852.
2. From Middle English menen (“to intend; remember; lament; comfort”), from Old English mǣnan (“to mean, complain”), Proto-West Germanic *mainijan, from Proto-Germanic *mainijaną (“to mean, think; complain”), from Proto-Indo-European *meyn- (“to think”), or perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *meyno-, extended form of Proto-Indo-European *mey-.
3. Germanic cognates include West Frisian miene (“to deem, think”) (Old Frisian mēna (“to signify”)), Dutch menen (“to believe, think, mean”) (Middle Dutch menen (“to think, intend”)), German meinen (“to think, mean, believe”), Old Saxon mēnian. Indo-European cognates include Old Irish mían (“wish, desire”) and Polish mienić (“to signify, believe”). Non-Indo-European cognates include Finnish mainita (“to mention”), Finnish meinata (“to mean, to plan, to intend”) Estonian mainima (“to mention”), Northern Sami máinnastit (“to tell”). Related to moan. See: Proto-Germanic '*mainijaną', Dutch 'menen', German, old spelling 'meinen', Polish 'mienić', Finnish with old forms 'mainita', Finnish with old forms 'meinata', Estonian 'mainima', Northern Sami 'máinnastit'.

Verbs referencing "mean"

German, old spelling meinen, Danish mene.

Sample Sentences

  • “ I tell you, Haley, this must not be spoken of; I say no, and I mean no, ” said Shelby, decidedly. (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • [...] a hundred times a day expecting me to call upon him in the saloon. I imagined him one of those cast-iron images—I will not call them men—who ask, with red faces, and lusty voices, what sea-sickness means, and whether it really is as bad as it is represented to be. This was very torturing indeed; and I do n't think I ever felt such perfect gratification and gratitude of heart, as I did when I heard [...] (American Notes for General Circulation)
  • [...] I see. And Eliza's child, too ! I know that I shall have some fuss with wife about that; and, for that matter, about Tom, too. So much for being in debt,—heigho ! The fellow sees his advantage, and means to push it. ” (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • [...] hands o ’ yourn with long fingers, and all a sparkling with rings, like my white lilies when de dew ’ s on ’ em; and look at my great black stumpin hands. Now, don't ye think dat de Lord must have meant _me_ to make de pie-crust, and you to stay in de parlor ? Dar ! I was jist so sarcy, Mas’r George. ” (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • [...] I am, ” said Mr. Shelby; “ and I respect your feelings, too, though I don't pretend to share them to their full extent; but I tell you now, solemnly, it's of no use—I can't help myself. I didn't mean to tell you this Emily; but, in plain words, there is no choice between selling these two and selling everything. Either they must go, or _all_ must. Haley has come into possession of a mortgage, [...] (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • [...] an old pet and playmate of hers, instantly, wagging his tail, prepared to follow her, though apparently revolving much, in this simple dog's head, what such an indiscreet midnight promenade might mean. Some dim ideas of imprudence or impropriety in the measure seemed to embarrass him considerably; for he often stopped, as Eliza glided forward, and looked wistfully, first at her and then at the [...] (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • [...] are ruled by the strong Heart, and not by the strong (though immeasurably weaker ) Hand. I have described them at some length; firstly, because their worth demanded it; and secondly, because I mean to take them for a model, and to content myself with saying of others we may come to, whose design and purpose are the same, that in this or that respect they practically fail, or differ. (American Notes for General Circulation)
  • “ Why, Mas’r, ” said Sam, in a deprecating tone, “ I believe you mean to kill us all clar, horses and all. Here we are all just ready to drop down, and the critters all in a reek of sweat. Why, Mas’r won't think of startin ’ on now till arter dinner. Mas’r's hoss [...] (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • [...] he did right, but I 'm feared things will be kinder goin ’ to rack, when I 'm gone Mas’r can't be spected to be a pryin ’ round everywhar, as I 've done, a keepin ’ up all the ends. The boys all means well, but they ’ s powerful car’less. That ar troubles me. ” (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • Sam knew exactly what he meant, but he kept on a look of earnest and desperate simplicity. (Uncle Tom’s Cabin)
  • I mean, this area is super up and coming. (Deadbolt)
  • But, I mean it, don't tell Pietro, cos Pietro will be upset, he's jealous. (Selfie)
  • rate this kind of coverage? I mean... looks like an accountant. (The Life of Chuck)
  • My darling... it just means... that maybe this whole thing is a sign (Highest 2 Lowest)
  • from where we left them ? -I mean, come on. (Just Breathe)