meant to (be/do something)
idiom
1
: intended to (do or be something)
I was never meant to teach.
They knew as soon as they met that they were meant to be together.
I thought we could be friends, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.
2
British
: supposed to (be or do something)
The buses are meant to arrive every 15 minutes.
Brighton is meant to be very beautiful at this time of year.
Examples of meant to (be/do something) in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The display, called Kristiansand Kunstsilo, features various Norwegian artists and is worth $46 million, but it’s not meant to be just a window into Tangen’s art interests.
—
Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 9 May 2024
Iverson has said repeatedly that his texts were not meant to be taken seriously.
—Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
It should be noted that the top of this kitchen cart is not meant to be a butcher block and is for display purposes only.
—Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2024
However, Cabello confirmed on Instagram on May 7 that the accessory was originally meant to be a bag with a chain link strap.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
Alongside the report, Microsoft also announced advances to its Copilot tool, including an autocomplete function that is meant to help people prompt the chatbot to receive better output.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 8 May 2024
Roughly $116 million was awarded to Homefield through the state’s STAR bond program, an economic weapon that provides upfront capital to developers for big projects meant to drive Kansas tourism.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
Climeworks’ operations in Iceland were meant to show the world that this technology can work.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 8 May 2024
Archaeologists also found grape vines, reeds and other woody plants likely meant to help protect the amphorae during the journey.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2024
Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 9 May 2024
Iverson has said repeatedly that his texts were not meant to be taken seriously.
—Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
It should be noted that the top of this kitchen cart is not meant to be a butcher block and is for display purposes only.
—Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2024
However, Cabello confirmed on Instagram on May 7 that the accessory was originally meant to be a bag with a chain link strap.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
Alongside the report, Microsoft also announced advances to its Copilot tool, including an autocomplete function that is meant to help people prompt the chatbot to receive better output.
—Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 8 May 2024
Roughly $116 million was awarded to Homefield through the state’s STAR bond program, an economic weapon that provides upfront capital to developers for big projects meant to drive Kansas tourism.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
Climeworks’ operations in Iceland were meant to show the world that this technology can work.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 8 May 2024
Archaeologists also found grape vines, reeds and other woody plants likely meant to help protect the amphorae during the journey.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meant to (be/do something).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near meant to (be/do something)
Cite this Entry
“Meant to (be/do something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meant%20to%20%28be%2Fdo%20something%29. Accessed 14 May. 2024.
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