- means
- noun1 method of doing sthADJECTIVE▪ 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/wealthADJECTIVE▪ 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▪ lackMEANS + 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.
