meaning

meaning
mean|ing
W1S2 [ˈmi:nıŋ] n
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
1¦(of a word/sign etc)¦
2¦(ideas in speech/book etc)¦
3 what's the meaning of this?
4¦(purpose/special quality)¦
5¦(true nature)¦
6 (not) know the meaning of something
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
1.) ¦(OF A WORD/SIGN ETC)¦ [U and C]
the thing or idea that a word, expression, or sign represents
meaning of
▪ I don't know the precise meaning of the word 'gleaned'.
▪ The expression has two very different meanings in English.
2.) ¦(IDEAS IN SPEECH/BOOK ETC)¦ [U and C]
the thoughts or ideas that someone wants you to understand from what they say, do, write etc
meaning of
▪ The meaning of her words was clear. We'd lost our jobs.
meaning behind
▪ She hardly dared to understand the meaning behind his statement.
get/understand sb's meaning
(=understand what they are trying to tell you)
▪ He's become a bit more than a friend, if you get my meaning.
3.) what's the meaning of this?
spoken used to demand an explanation
▪ What's the meaning of this? I asked you to be here an hour ago!
4.) ¦(PURPOSE/SPECIAL QUALITY)¦[U]
the quality that makes life, work etc seem to have a purpose or value
▪ Life seemed to have lost its meaning since Janet's death.
▪ Her studies no longer seemed to have any meaning .
▪ For many people it is religion that gives meaning to their existence.
5.) ¦(TRUE NATURE)¦[U]
the true nature and importance of something
meaning of
▪ We seem to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
6.) (not) know the meaning of sth
to have, or not have, experience and understanding of a particular situation or feeling
▪ Living in a warzone, the children knew the meaning of fear.
▪ Guilty! She doesn't know the meaning of the word!

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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