meaning
"Meaning" is a word you will use constantly in English — both when learning the language and in everyday life. It has a few closely related but distinct senses, mainly as a noun, but also as an adjective. Here are the most important ones.
Sometimes 'meaning' is not about words at all — it is about why something matters or what its purpose is. When people ask 'what is the meaning of life?', they are asking: why do we exist? What is the point? You can use it for big philosophical questions or small everyday situations.
everyday language, philosophy · Modern, widely used
When someone says or does something, there is often a hidden or deeper message behind it. That underlying intention is also called the 'meaning'. For example, if a friend says 'nice haircut' in a sarcastic tone, the meaning behind those words might be the opposite of what was said.
communication, literature · Modern, widely used · figurative
When 'meaning' is used as an adjective, it describes a look, glance, or gesture that communicates something without using words — usually a shared understanding between two people. Imagine two friends exchanging a quick look that says 'can you believe this?' — that is a meaning look.
everyday language · Formal, more common in older texts · figurative