meant
meant — verb
1. the form of the verb 'mean' used to describe past actions, intentions, or states
the form of the verb 'mean' used to describe past actions, intentions, or states. As a past simple form, it refers to something that was intended, signified, or referred to at an earlier time. As a past participle, it combines with 'have', 'had', or 'be' to create perfect tenses or passive structures.
Talia said she was sorry, and I believed she meant it.
meant + it — general intention or truthfulness
Ishaan meant to call the repair shop on Monday, but he forgot.
meant + to-infinitive — intention in the past
The flashing red light meant that the battery was almost dead.
meant + that-clause — significance or consequence
Hugo had meant to send a thank-you note, but the week got too busy.
had meant + to-infinitive — unfulfilled past intention
The garden shears were meant for cutting branches, not paper.
were meant for — passive expressing purpose
- meant it
- meant to
- meant that
- meant for
- meant as
- never meant
- always meant
- meant well
- was meant to be
Grammar Patterns
meant + to-infinitive (intention)
meant + that-clause (significance)
meant + noun phrase (reference)
had meant + to-infinitive (unfulfilled intention)
was/were meant + to-infinitive (purpose or expectation)
Usage Note
This is the past simple and past participle form of the irregular verb 'mean'. As a past simple form ('I meant what I said'), it describes completed actions or intentions. As a past participle, it appears in perfect constructions ('She had meant to arrive early') and in the passive voice ('The gift was meant for you'). Pronounced /ment/ — the final 't' is pronounced even though it is not heard in the base form 'mean'.