npluralmeans
1【method】2【money】3 by all means!4 by no means/not by any means5 by means of something6 a means to an end7 the means of production
【METHOD】[C]a way of doing or achieving something
means of For most people, the car is still their main means of transport . The only means of communication was sign language. The window was our only means of escape . Do you have any means of identification ? art as a means of expression Homework should not be used as a means of controlling children. I had no means of telling him I would be late. Brian was prepared to use any means to get what he wanted. They had entered the country by unlawful means . the means by which performance is assessed【MONEY】 [plural] the money or income that you have
have the means to do sth I don't have the means to support a family. Paying for your children to go to a private school is beyond the means of most people (=too expensive for most people) . Try to live within your means (=only spending what you can afford) . His father was a man of means (=a rich man) .by all means!spoken used to mean 'of course' when politely allowing someone to do something or agreeing with a suggestion
'Can I bring Alan?' 'By all means!'by no means/not by any meansnot at all
It is by no means certain that the game will take place. She's not a bad kid, by any means.by means of sthformal using a particular method or system
The blocks are raised by means of pulleys.a means to an endsomething that you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important
For Geoff, the job was simply a means to an end.the means of productionthe material, tools, and equipment that are used in the production of goods
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ways and meansatway1 (1)
COLLOCATES for sense 1means of transport (=a way of travelling, for example using a car, bus, bicycle etc)
means of communicationmeans of escapemeans of identification (=an official document that shows who you are)
means of expression (=a way of expressing your feelings, opinions etc)
a means of doing somethinghave no means of doing somethinguse any means (=use any method, even if it is illegal or causes harm to other people)
by unlawful/illegal/unfair means(whether) by fair means or foul (=using unfair methods if necessary)