Collocations for meaning - noun
1. what sth means
ADJECTIVE
clear,
exact,
precise
The context makes the meaning clear.
What is the exact meaning of this phrase?
The context makes the meaning clear.
What is the exact meaning of this phrase?
intended,
true,
underlying
correct
original
double, hidden
There's often a double meaning in jokes and riddles.
I'm sure there's no hidden meaning in what he says.
correct
original
double, hidden
There's often a double meaning in jokes and riddles.
I'm sure there's no hidden meaning in what he says.
figurative,
metaphorical,
symbolic
cultural
He explores the deeper cultural meaning of ‘home’.
cultural
He explores the deeper cultural meaning of ‘home’.
literal
VERB + meaning
comprehend,
get,
grasp,
understand
I can't grasp the meaning of this quotation.
I can't grasp the meaning of this quotation.
decipher,
interpret,
work out
Historians are trying to decipher the meaning of the documents.
Historians are trying to decipher the meaning of the documents.
explore,
ponder
The movie ends with scenes that are supposed to leave us pondering its meaning.
The movie ends with scenes that are supposed to leave us pondering its meaning.
assign,
attach,
attribute,
discern
She assigns a meaning to his words they just didn't have.
She assigns a meaning to his words they just didn't have.
clarify,
explain
The copy editor uses her skill to clarify the meaning.
The copy editor uses her skill to clarify the meaning.
redefine
That night redefined the meaning of the word ‘love’ to him.
That night redefined the meaning of the word ‘love’ to him.
alter,
change,
distort
These translation errors alter the meaning of the sentence.
These translation errors alter the meaning of the sentence.
misinterpret,
misunderstand
I think you misunderstood my meaning.
I think you misunderstood my meaning.
determine
The context largely determines the meaning.
The context largely determines the meaning.
bear,
carry,
have
Some of the symbols carry meaning and some just represent sounds.
a word that has more than one meaning
Some of the symbols carry meaning and some just represent sounds.
a word that has more than one meaning
acquire,
take on
The word ‘gay’ took on its modern meaning in the 1960s.
The word ‘gay’ took on its modern meaning in the 1960s.
communicate,
convey,
express
PREPOSITION
in a/the meaning
ambiguity in the meaning of a phrase
ambiguity in the meaning of a phrase
with a/the meaning
I am using the word with its original meaning.
I am using the word with its original meaning.
meaning behind
the meaning behind an event
the meaning behind an event
PHRASES
a nuance of meaning,
a shade of meaning
It is difficult for a non-Italian to grasp all the nuances of meaning.
It is difficult for a non-Italian to grasp all the nuances of meaning.
2. purpose/importance
ADJECTIVE
deep,
real,
true
She's searching for the deeper meaning of life.
She's searching for the deeper meaning of life.
spiritual
He found spiritual meaning through religion.
He found spiritual meaning through religion.
intrinsic
For him, art held little intrinsic meaning.
For him, art held little intrinsic meaning.
VERB + meaning
have
Her work no longer had any meaning for her.
Her work no longer had any meaning for her.
acquire
As parents, our lives acquired new meaning.
As parents, our lives acquired new meaning.
find
lose
After his death, she felt life had lost all meaning.
lose
After his death, she felt life had lost all meaning.
give
Falling in love gave meaning to his life.
Falling in love gave meaning to his life.
contemplate,
explore,
ponder
You can't sit around contemplating the meaning of life all day.
You can't sit around contemplating the meaning of life all day.