2
general::
noun method of doing sth ADJ. appropriate, best, effective, efficient, reliable, useful an effective means of mass communication | necessary, possible, practicable We will use every possible means to achieve our objective. | alternative, other War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’. | conventional, traditional | legal, legitimate 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. | devise Can you devise a means of overcoming the problem? PREP. by ~ (of) The stone was lifted by means of a rope and pulley. | through ~ They cannot achieve their goal through legal means. | ~ for the means for achieving happiness | ~ of a means of access/communication/transport a means of getting what you want PHRASES a means to an end He saw his education merely as a means to an end. | 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. money/wealth ADJ. independent, private She must have independent means to live in such style. | limited, moderate, modest, slender | visible people who lack visible means of support VERB + MEANS have | lack MEANS + NOUN test Eligibility for the benefit was determined by a means test. PREP. according to your ~ (= according to what you can afford), beyond your ~ Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford). | within your ~ (= 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)
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
means
adjectives
an effective/efficient means
• Speed bumps are an effective means of stopping cars from going too fast.
a useful means
• Local radio is a useful means of advertising.
the only means
• Then, horses and carts were the only means of transport available.
the best means
• Is this really the best means of achieving our goal?
an important means
• Surveys are an important means of gathering information.
lawful/legal means
• Their protests will continue, but only by legal means.
unlawful/illegal means
• He was accused of attempting to overthrow the government using unlawful means.
unfair means
• Anyone trying to use unfair means in an examination will be reported to the University.
phrases
a means of transport
British English , a means of transportation American English (= a way of travelling, for example using a car, bus, bicycle etc )
• The tram is an efficient means of transport.
a means of communication
(= a way of talking to someone, for example by phone, writing etc )
• Newspapers are still an important means of communication.
a means of expression
(= a way of expressing your feelings or opinions )
• Music and art are important means of expression.
a means of identification
(= an official document that shows who you are )
• Do you have any means of identification?
the means of production
(= factories and equipment used for producing goods - used especially in Marxism )
• the class of people which owns the means of production
the end justifies the means
(= the result you achieve is more important than the way you do it )
• It’s too bad if people get hurt - the end justifies the means.
a means to an end
(= something you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important )
• Many of the students saw the course as a means to an end: a way of getting a good job.
(whether) by fair means or foul
(= using unfair methods if necessary )
• They were determined to achieve victory, by fair means or foul.
verbs
have no/any/some means of doing something
• There was no path, and they had no means of knowing where they were.
use any/every means to do something
(= use any method or many methods )
• He will use any means to get what he wants.
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