Word · CEFR B2 · Frequency #121
mean
平均值；平均数
A number or value that represents the average or central tendency of a set of numbers.
- 1.
A method or course of action used to achieve some result.
用于达到某种结果的方法或行动过程。
- 2.
an average of n numbers computed by adding some function of the numbers and dividing by some function of n
n个数的平均数,通过将数的某种函数相加并除以n的某种函数计算得出。
- 3.
Something which is intermediate or in the middle; an intermediate value or range of values; a medium.
介于中间的事物；中间值或数值范围；中间状态。
- 4.
Any function of multiple variables that satisfies certain properties and yields a number representative of its arguments; or, the number so yielded; a measure of central tendency.
满足某些性质并对自变量产生一个代表性数值的多变量函数；或由此得出的数值；集中趋势的度量。
- 5.
Either of the two numbers in the middle of a conventionally presented proportion, as 2 and 3 in 1:2=3:6.
按惯例表示的比例中位于中间的两个数之一,如1:2=3:6中的2和3。
中间；中庸；方法；手段；比例内项；内项；用于达到某种结果的方法或行动过程。；n个数的平均数,通过将数的某种函数相加并除以n的某种函数计算得出。
In use
The mean of the data set is 25.
To calculate the mean, add all numbers and divide by the count.
The mean is often used in statistics to summarize a set of values.
the mean of [noun phrase]
mean 作“平均值”解时通常用单数，后接 of 短语说明统计对象。
The mean of the test scores was 82.
这些测试分数的平均值是 82。
a mean between [noun phrase] and [noun phrase]
常与 between 连用，表示两个极端之间的中间状态或折中方案。
We need a mean between working all day and resting all day.
我们需要在整天工作和整天休息之间找个折中。
by means of [noun phrase]
by means of 是固定短语，表示“借助、通过”。
Connections
Collocations
- the mean
- 平均值；平均数
- The mean is one way to summarize a set of numbers.平均值是概括一组数字的一种方法。
- golden mean
- 中庸之道；折中办法
- She tries to find the golden mean between work and rest.她努力在工作和休息之间找到折中办法。
- by means of
- 通过；借助
- They communicate by means of sign language.他们通过手语交流。
- a means to an end
- 达到目的的手段
- For him, money is only a means to an end.对他来说，金钱只是达到目的的一种手段。
- means of transport
- 交通工具；运输方式
- The train is a fast means of transport.火车是一种快速的交通工具。
Idioms & figurative uses
Learner notes
Memory Tip
mean 作名词是“平均数/中间”：把一组数往中间一取，就是 mean，记作“中间值”或“中庸之道”。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：statistics、academic writing、formal prose 作名词时，mean 在数学或统计语境中多表示“平均值”；在正式或书面英语中也指“中间状态”或“中庸”。表示“方法、手段”时，英语更常用复数形式 means。请根据搭配和语境选择。
Pronunciation & Spelling
这些词都与 mean /miːn/ 押韵，读作 /iːn/：bean、lean（-ean），green、seen、queen（-een），scene（-ene）。注意 meant /mɛnt/ 是 mean 的过去式，拼写相近但发音不同，不要混淆。
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 2，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.