Synonyms for Mean
Definition of mean
adjective
- approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value; "the average income in New England is below that of the nation"; "of average height for his age"; "the mean annual rainfall"
- characterized by malice; "a hateful thing to do"; "in a mean mood"
- having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality; "that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble"- Edmund Burke; "taking a mean advantage"; "chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort"- Shakespeare; "something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics"
20 synonyms found
Writing tips for "mean"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like average, awful, base can replace "mean" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 20 alternatives available, "mean" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Mean" in song lyrics
See how mean is used in real songs:
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"I mean..."
1.4.0. Productions f/ Molly-Q, Shawn Wigs — Poisonous Poets -
"Sprinkle sugar everywhere, tell me what's it all mean?"
2 Hungry Bros. present 8thW1 — Short and Sweet -
"And have a funky good time if you know what I mean"
2 Live Crew — Drop the Bomb