Comparative for having an unkind or spiteful character or nature
“Everyone in school was mean to Hannah except for Clay who was a nice guy.”
(especially of a place) Comparative for poor in quality and appearance
“Real-estate prices were high, and the couple could only afford a mean apartment on the rough side of town.”
Comparative for inferior in standard or capacity
“He was a man of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.”
Comparative for of low birth or social class
“Jon was outwardly a man of mean birth, yet commanded the respect of all before him.”
Comparative for very high in quality
“He sure knows how to make a mean steak.”
Comparative for showing a high level of skill or expertise
“Kanye is certainly a mean wordsmith, arguably better than Marshall.”
Comparative for contemptible in nature
“Pulling the chair out from under him was a really mean thing to do.”
(chiefly Britain) Comparative for unwilling to give or share, especially with money
“The waiters would always grumble about mean customers who were stingy with tips.”
(of a quantity) Comparative for calculated as a mean or average
“Tropical climates have a mean temperature that is higher than that found in polar climates.”
Related Words and Phrases
|