Be meant to means intended or designed to: this strap is meant to keep the lid closed. With rules, it means supposed to: you're meant to leave the key at reception. In the past, it's often a plan that didn't happen: we were meant to meet outside, but it rained.
Want to use meant to in conversation?
Write a sentence — we'll show the mistakes right away and suggest how to say it more naturally.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
be meant to + base verb / was meant to + intended action
- This strap is meant to keep the lid closed.
- We were meant to meet outside, but the rain changed our plans.
- You are meant to leave the key at reception.
What changed
First versionThe second page is meaned to explain the symbols.
RevisionThe second page is meant to explain the symbols.
Most verbs take -ed, so meaned looks regular and right. But mean is irregular: mean, meant, meant. With meant in place, the page is once again there to explain the symbols.
Be supposed to is almost the same: you're supposed to knock. Be meant for means designed for someone: meant for beginners. And I meant to call means I intended to call: without be, it's about your own intention.
Your turn
Choose the participle of mean: The labels are ___ to help visitors find the right room.
Show the answer
meant — You need meant, because mean is an irregular verb. Meaned doesn't exist.
Explain what a part of an object is for, or how you're supposed to use it. Use be meant to.
The coloured tabs are meant to help you find each section without checking the contents page.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.