1. Unkind or cruel: This is the most common meaning of "mean." It describes someone who intentionally tries to hurt or upset others. For example:
* "He's being mean to his little sister."
* "That was a mean thing to say."
2. Average: This is a mathematical meaning. The mean is the average of a set of numbers. For example:
* "The mean temperature in July was 85 degrees."
* "The mean score on the test was 75."
3. Significant or important: This meaning is less common but still used. It implies something is of great importance. For example:
* "The mean thing about this situation is that it could happen to anyone."
* "This decision has mean consequences."
4. To intend: This meaning is often used with the word "to." It means to plan or intend to do something. For example:
* "I mean to go to the gym after work."
* "She means well, even if she doesn't always show it."
To understand the meaning of "mean," you need to consider the context of the sentence.
Let me know if you need an example sentence to help you understand the meaning of "mean" in a specific situation!