means
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noun1 method of doing sthADJECTIVE▪ appropriate, convenient, effective, efficient, reliable, useful▪
an effective means of mass communication
▪ best, preferred▪Gold has been the preferred means of exchange for centuries.
▪ necessary, possible, practicable (BrE)▪We will use every possible means to achieve our objective.
▪ alternate (AmE), alternative, other▪War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’.
▪ primary, principal▪Painting had become his primary means of self-expression.
▪ only, sole▪Oil lamps were the sole means of illumination.
▪ conventional, traditional▪ legal, legitimate▪ non-violent, peaceful▪ military▪ electronic, technical▪Infringement of copyright includes distribution by electronic means.
VERB + MEANS▪ have▪We have no means of knowing how they will react.
▪ use▪ offer (sb), provide (sb with)▪My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry.
▪ develop, devise▪Can you devise a means of overcoming the problem?
PREPOSITION▪ by means (of)▪The stone was lifted by means of a rope and pulley.
▪ through means▪They cannot achieve their goal through legal means.
▪ means for▪the means for achieving happiness
▪ means of▪a means of access/communication/transport
▪a means of getting what you want
PHRASES▪ the end justifies the means▪In the case of torture, the end can never justify the means.
▪ a means to an end▪He saw his education merely as a means to an end.
▪ by any means necessary, by fair means or foul▪ by no means/not by any means (= not at all), ways and means▪There are ways and means of raising money.
2 money/wealthADJECTIVE▪ independent, private▪She must have independent means to live in such style.
▪ limited, little, moderate, modest, slender▪ visible▪people who lack visible means of support
VERB + MEANS▪ have▪ lackMEANS + NOUN▪ test▪Eligibility for the benefit was determined by a means test.
PREPOSITION▪ according to your means (= according to what you can afford)▪ beyond your means▪Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).
▪ within your means (= according to what you can afford)▪She finds it difficult to live within her means.
PHRASES▪ a man/woman of means (= a rich man/woman)
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
Look at other dictionaries:
means — W2S2 [mi:nz] n plural means ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(method)¦ 2¦(money)¦ 3 by all means! 4 by no means/not by any means 5 by means of something 6 a means to an end 7 the means of production ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) … Dictionary of contemporary English
means — [ minz ] (plural means) noun *** 1. ) count a method for doing or achieving something: WAY: Information is not easily obtained by any other means. an effective means for finding qualified job applicants means of: What means of transportation is… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
means — [miːnz] noun [plural] the money and resources that a person or organization has available: means to do something • Large corporations have the means to pay large fines without suffering hardship. • The group has limited means. • young families… … Financial and business terms
means — 1. When the meaning is ‘financial resources’, means is treated as plural: Their means are somewhat limited. When the meaning is ‘a way or method’ it can operate as a singular noun (when preceded by a determiner such as a, any, or every) or as a… … Modern English usage
means — [mēnz] pl.n. 〚/span> MEAN3, n.〛 1. [with sing. or pl. v.] that by which something is done or obtained; agency [the fastest means of travel] 2. resources or available wealth; often, specif., great wealth; riches [a person of … Universalium
means — n pl but sing or pl in constr 1 a: something enabling one to achieve a desired end a means of self defense b: cause (1) 2: resources (as income and assets) at one s disposal Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of La … Law dictionary
means — ► PLURAL NOUN (also treated as sing. ) 1) an agent or method for achieving a result. 2) financial resources; income. 3) substantial resources; wealth. ● by all means Cf. ↑by all means ● by means of Cf. ↑ … English terms dictionary
means — [mēnz] pl.n. [< MEAN3, n.] 1. [with sing. or pl. v.] that by which something is done or obtained; agency [the fastest means of travel] 2. resources or available wealth; often, specif., great wealth; riches [a person of means] by all means 1 … English World dictionary
Means — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: John Hugh Means (1812–1862), US amerikanischer Politiker Larry Means (* 1947), US amerikanischer Politiker Natrone Means (* 1972), US amerikanischer Footballspieler Rice W. Means (1877–1949), US… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Méans — Administration Nom italien Meana di Susa Nom piémontais Méans Pays … Wikipédia en Français
Means — may refer to: Means (surname) Definitions Mean (average), a term used in mathematics and statistics Means (ethics), something of instrumental value in order to achieve an end Means (law), an aspect of a crime needed to convince a jury of guilt in … Wikipedia
