- meaning
- mean|ing1 [ `minıŋ ] noun ***1. ) count or uncount the thing, action, feeling, idea, etc. that a word or words represent:Move this word and you change the meaning of the sentence.get/catch someone's meaning (=understand what they are saying): I'm not sure I get your meaning.layers/shades of meaning (=different meanings that are not obvious): Examine the writing closely, and you discover multiple layers of meaning.a ) the ideas that signs, symbols, or ways of behaving represent:It seems that the clothes have a deep religious meaning.b ) the ideas that writers, artists, musicians, etc. try to express in their work:This poem's real meaning has always been a puzzle.2. ) singular or uncount the special importance or purpose of something:meaning of: The book tackles important questions, such as the meaning of life.meaning to: There didn't seem to be any meaning to her work.meaning for: Religion has little meaning for many people today.something loses its meaning: Times change and ancient customs lose their meaning.know/not know the meaning of something INFORMALused for emphasizing how much or little you understand something:Hungry? You don't know the meaning of hunger.what's the meaning of this? OLD-FASHIONEDused for angrily asking why someone has done something that you do not approve ofmeaningmean|ing 2 [ `minıŋ ] adjective only before nouncommunicating a feeling or intention very clearly
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.