means/minz; miːnz/n plural means 1 [C] a way of doing something 手段﹔方法﹔工具: +of The window is the only means of escape. 这扇窗是唯一的出路。means of communication/transport Email is the best means of communication. 电子邮件是最好的交流方法。a means of doing sth I had no means of getting home. 我没有办法回家。2 by all means used to agree or give permission [ of course ] 当然可以: ‘Can I bring Alan?’ ‘By all means!’ “我能带艾伦来吗?”“当然可以!”3 by no means/not by any means not at all 绝不﹐一点都不: He was not rich by any means. 他根本不算有钱。4 a means to an end something that you do only to achieve a particular result 达到目的的方法: My job is just a means to an end. 我的工作仅仅是我达到目的的手段而已。5 [plural 复数] the money or income you have 钱﹔财富: have the means to do sth We don’t have the means to pay for private education. 我们无力支付私立教育的费用。A holiday is beyond my means (=I cannot afford it). 我承担不起度假费用。