mean

/ˈmēn/

Middle English menen, from Old English mǣnan; akin to Old High German meinen to have in mind, Old Church Slavic měniti to mention

verb

  1. to have in the mind as a purpose : intend —sometimes used interjectionally with I, chiefly in informal speech for emphasis or to introduce a phrase restating the point of a preceding phrase

  2. to design for or destine to a specified purpose or future

  3. to serve or intend to convey, show, or indicate : signify

she means to win

I was meant to teach

adjective

  1. lacking distinction or eminence : humble

  2. lacking in mental discrimination : dull

  3. of poor, shabby, or inferior quality or status

mean ignoble abject sordid mean being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity. mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity. ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

adjective

  1. occupying a middle position : intermediate in space, order, time, kind, or degree

  2. occupying a position about midway between extremes; especially : being the mean of a set of values : average

  3. serving as a means : intermediary

average mean median norm mean something that represents a middle point. average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures. mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.