meaning

The idea or message that a word, sentence, sign, or action expresses.

• What is the meaning of this word?
• The sentence has two possible meanings.
• I understood the hidden meaning of her smile.

How to use it: the meaning of something (Can you explain the meaning of this sign?)

Similar words: sense, significance

Common phrases: meaning of something, different meaning, hidden meaning, literal meaning

The purpose or importance that makes something feel valuable.

• Helping others gives my life meaning.
• She found new meaning in her work.
• Without friendship, success had little meaning for him.

Similar words: purpose, significance

Common phrases: meaning in life, give something meaning, search for meaning

Having good or bad intentions, usually in expressions such as well meaning.

• He is a well-meaning neighbour.
• Her well-meaning advice upset me.
• They feared interference from ill-meaning strangers.

Similar words: intentioned

Common phrases: well meaning, ill meaning