Mean can express the meaning of a word or what a speaker intended.
The idea
Ask What does this word mean? or Did you mean the blue book? The irregular past and past participle are meant; after did, use the base mean.
Examples
- What does this word mean?
- Here, “available” means ready to use.
- Did you mean the blue book or the red one?
- She meant the meeting on Friday.
- That sign means the road is closed.
- I did not understand what he meant.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
The verb mean here concerns meaning or intention; the adjective mean can have other senses.
Try it yourself
Choose the base verb after does. What does this word ___? (mean / means)
Show answer or example answer
mean
After does, use the base verb mean.
Choose the past form for what she intended. Yesterday she ___ the Friday meeting. (meant / meaned)
Show answer or example answer
meant
Meant is the irregular past form.
Choose the base verb after did. Did you ___ the blue book? (mean / meant)
Show answer or example answer
mean
After did, use the base mean.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the base verb after does. What does this word ___? (mean / means)
Choose the past form for what she intended. Yesterday she ___ the Friday meeting. (meant / meaned)
Choose the base verb after did. Did you ___ the blue book? (mean / meant)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Ask what an unfamiliar word means and clarify what a speaker meant.