mean
2 [meen]
Show IPA–adjective,-er, -est.
1.
offensive, selfish, or unaccommodating; nasty; malicious: a mean remark; He gets mean when he doesn't get his way.
2.
small-minded or ignoble: mean motives.
3.
penurious, stingy, or miserly: a person who is mean about money.
4.
inferior in grade, quality, or character: no mean reward.
5.
low in status, rank, or dignity: mean servitors.
6.
of little importance or consequence: mean little details.
7.
unimposing or shabby: a mean abode.
8.
small, humiliated, or ashamed: You should feel mean for being so stingy.
9.
Informal. in poor physical condition.
10.
troublesome or vicious; bad-tempered: a mean old horse.
11.
Slang. skillful or impressive: He blows a mean trumpet.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME mene, aph. var. (see y-) of imene, OE gemǣne; c. Dgemeen, G gemein common, Goth gamains in common; cf. common
bef. 900; ME mene, aph. var. (see y-) of imene, OE gemǣne; c. Dgemeen, G gemein common, Goth gamains in common; cf. common
—Synonyms
2. contemptible, despicable. Mean, low, base, sordid, and vile all refer to ignoble characteristics worthy of dislike, contempt, or disgust. Mean suggests pettiness and small-mindedness: to take a mean advantage. Low suggests coarseness and vulgarity: low company. Base suggests selfish cowardice or moral depravity: base motives. Sordid suggests a wretched uncleanness, or sometimes an avariciousness without dignity or moral scruples: a sordid slum; sordid gain. Vile suggests disgusting foulness or repulsiveness: vile insinuation; a vile creature. 3. niggardly, close, tight, parsimonious, illiberal, ungenerous, selfish. See stingy. 5. common, humble; undignified, plebeian. 6. inconsequential, insignificant, petty, paltry, little, poor, wretched. 7. squalid, poor.
2. contemptible, despicable. Mean, low, base, sordid, and vile all refer to ignoble characteristics worthy of dislike, contempt, or disgust. Mean suggests pettiness and small-mindedness: to take a mean advantage. Low suggests coarseness and vulgarity: low company. Base suggests selfish cowardice or moral depravity: base motives. Sordid suggests a wretched uncleanness, or sometimes an avariciousness without dignity or moral scruples: a sordid slum; sordid gain. Vile suggests disgusting foulness or repulsiveness: vile insinuation; a vile creature. 3. niggardly, close, tight, parsimonious, illiberal, ungenerous, selfish. See stingy. 5. common, humble; undignified, plebeian. 6. inconsequential, insignificant, petty, paltry, little, poor, wretched. 7. squalid, poor.
DON'T CALL ME 'MEAN', I DEFINITELY DON'T LIKE IT!
