Meaning I Extra Examples ˈmiːnɪŋ Word Grasp Understand

• what's the meaning of this word?
• words often have several meanings.
• i am using the word with its original meaning.
• the literal meaning of china is ‘the country at the centre’.

meaning

1. the thing or idea that a sound, word, sign, etc. represents
• SEE ALSO lexical meaning
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/lexical-meaning
• What's the meaning of this word?
• Words often have several meanings.
• I am using the word with its original meaning.
• The literal meaning of China is ‘the country at the centre’.
• ‘Honesty’? He doesn't know the meaning of the word!

Extra Examples

• I can't grasp the meaning of this quotation.
• The customer did not understand the meaning of the licence terms.
• It is difficult for a non-Italian to grasp all the nuances of meaning.
• Some of the symbols carry meaning and some just represent sounds.
• The context largely determines the meaning.
• The copy editor uses her skill to clarify the meaning.
• The word ‘gay’ took on its modern meaning in the 1960s.
• There's often a double meaning in jokes and riddles.
• These translation errors alter the meaning of the sentence.
2. the things or ideas that somebody wishes to communicate to you by what they say or do
• It is important to make your meaning clear.
• I don't quite get your meaning (= understand what you mean to say).
• What's the meaning of this? I explicitly told you not to leave the room.

Extra Examples

• I think you misunderstood my meaning.
• I'm sure there's no hidden meaning in what he says.
• She assigns a meaning to his words they just didn't have.
3. the real importance of a feeling or an experience
• With Anna he learned the meaning of love.
• The story explores the true meaning of freedom.
• It is difficult to grasp the meaning of these events.

Extra Examples

• For her, the research trip had a different meaning: she was going home.
• I am finally learning the real meaning of moderation.
4. the ideas that a writer, artist, etc. wishes to communicate through a book, painting, etc.
• several layers of meaning
• There are, of course, deeper meanings in the poem.
• This chapter is important if the reader is to understand the full meaning of this novel.

Extra Examples

• This is a disturbing tale that conveys meaning on several levels.
• For him, art held little intrinsic meaning.
• The movie ends with scenes that are supposed to leave us pondering its meaning.
5. the quality or sense of purpose that makes you feel that your life is valuable
• Her life seemed to have lost all meaning.
• Having a child gave new meaning to their lives.

Extra Examples

• Falling in love gave meaning to his life.
• He found spiritual meaning through religion.
• Her work no longer had any meaning for her.
• She's searching for the deeper meaning of life.
• Young people can feel that life is without meaning.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: verbal noun from mean (verb).