means

means
noun
1 method of doing sth
ADJECTIVE
appropriate, convenient, effective, efficient, reliable, useful

an effective means of mass communication

best, preferred

Gold has been the preferred means of exchange for centuries.

necessary, possible, practicable (BrE)

We will use every possible means to achieve our objective.

alternate (AmE), alternative, other

War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’.

primary, principal

Painting had become his primary means of self-expression.

only, sole

Oil lamps were the sole means of illumination.

conventional, traditional
legal, legitimate
non-violent, peaceful
military
electronic, technical

Infringement of copyright includes distribution by electronic means.

VERB + MEANS
have

We have no means of knowing how they will react.

use
offer (sb), provide (sb with)

My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry.

develop, devise

Can you devise a means of overcoming the problem?

PREPOSITION
by means (of)

The stone was lifted by means of a rope and pulley.

through means

They cannot achieve their goal through legal means.

means for

the means for achieving happiness

means of

a means of access/communication/transport

a means of getting what you want

PHRASES
the end justifies the means

In the case of torture, the end can never justify the means.

a means to an end

He saw his education merely as a means to an end.

by any means necessary, by fair means or foul
by no means/not by any means (= not at all), ways and means

There are ways and means of raising money.

2 money/wealth
ADJECTIVE
independent, private

She must have independent means to live in such style.

limited, little, moderate, modest, slender
visible

people who lack visible means of support

VERB + MEANS
have
lack
MEANS + NOUN
test

Eligibility for the benefit was determined by a means test.

PREPOSITION
according to your means (= according to what you can afford)
beyond your means

Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).

within your means (= according to what you can afford)

She finds it difficult to live within her means.

PHRASES
a man/woman of means (= a rich man/woman)

Collocations dictionary. 2013.

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  • means — W2S2 [mi:nz] n plural means ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(method)¦ 2¦(money)¦ 3 by all means! 4 by no means/not by any means 5 by means of something 6 a means to an end 7 the means of production ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • means — [ minz ] (plural means) noun *** 1. ) count a method for doing or achieving something: WAY: Information is not easily obtained by any other means. an effective means for finding qualified job applicants means of: What means of transportation is… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • means — [miːnz] noun [plural] the money and resources that a person or organization has available: means to do something • Large corporations have the means to pay large fines without suffering hardship. • The group has limited means. • young families… …   Financial and business terms

  • means — 1. When the meaning is ‘financial resources’, means is treated as plural: Their means are somewhat limited. When the meaning is ‘a way or method’ it can operate as a singular noun (when preceded by a determiner such as a, any, or every) or as a… …   Modern English usage

  • means — [mēnz] pl.n. 〚/span> MEAN3, n.〛 1. [with sing. or pl. v.] that by which something is done or obtained; agency [the fastest means of travel] 2. resources or available wealth; often, specif., great wealth; riches [a person of …   Universalium

  • means — n pl but sing or pl in constr 1 a: something enabling one to achieve a desired end a means of self defense b: cause (1) 2: resources (as income and assets) at one s disposal Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of La …   Law dictionary

  • means — ► PLURAL NOUN (also treated as sing. ) 1) an agent or method for achieving a result. 2) financial resources; income. 3) substantial resources; wealth. ● by all means Cf. ↑by all means ● by means of Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • means — [mēnz] pl.n. [< MEAN3, n.] 1. [with sing. or pl. v.] that by which something is done or obtained; agency [the fastest means of travel] 2. resources or available wealth; often, specif., great wealth; riches [a person of means] by all means 1 …   English World dictionary

  • Means — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: John Hugh Means (1812–1862), US amerikanischer Politiker Larry Means (* 1947), US amerikanischer Politiker Natrone Means (* 1972), US amerikanischer Footballspieler Rice W. Means (1877–1949), US… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Méans — Administration Nom italien Meana di Susa Nom piémontais Méans Pays …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Means — may refer to: Means (surname) Definitions Mean (average), a term used in mathematics and statistics Means (ethics), something of instrumental value in order to achieve an end Means (law), an aspect of a crime needed to convince a jury of guilt in …   Wikipedia

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