1. Unkind or cruel: This is the most common meaning. It refers to someone who enjoys causing pain or suffering to others.
Examples:
* "Don't be mean to your sister!"
* "He was mean to the new kid in class."
2. Average: This meaning refers to the mathematical average of a set of numbers. It's calculated by adding all the numbers together and dividing by the total number of values.
Examples:
* "The mean temperature in July is 25 degrees Celsius."
* "The mean score on the test was 75%."
3. Significant or important: This meaning is less common than the first two, but it can be used to describe something that matters a lot.
Example:
* "This is a mean feat of engineering."
4. To intend or to plan: This meaning is often used in the phrase "mean to do something," which indicates an intention to perform an action.
Example:
* "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
5. Stingy or unwilling to share: This meaning refers to someone who is reluctant to give or spend money.
Example:
* "He's so mean with his money!"
To understand the meaning of "mean" in a particular context, you need to consider the sentence and the overall situation.