1. Unkind or cruel: This is the most common meaning. It describes someone who is intentionally hurtful or unpleasant.
* Example: "It was mean of him to laugh at her mistake."
2. Average: This refers to the mathematical average of a set of numbers.
* Example: "The mean temperature in July is 25 degrees Celsius."
3. To intend or signify: This meaning describes the purpose or implication of something.
* Example: "What does this symbol mean?"
4. Low-quality or inferior: This meaning refers to something that is poor or inadequate.
* Example: "The quality of the food was mean."
5. Tight or miserly: This meaning describes someone who is unwilling to spend money or share things.
* Example: "He was a mean old man who never gave to charity."
6. Impressive or outstanding: This is an informal and somewhat archaic usage, mainly found in American English.
* Example: "He's a mean basketball player."
To understand the specific meaning of "mean" in a sentence, consider the context and the other words around it.