What does meaner mean?
Meaner is the comparative form of the adjective mean, meaning more mean in the sense relevant to its context. Most commonly, it describes a person or action as more unkind, selfish, insensitive, or ungenerous. It can also compare things that are morally contemptible or inferior in quality, status, or significance. For example, someone might call another person's behavior meaner when it displays greater cruelty or thoughtlessness, while the meaner of two options is the less desirable one. Meaner is standard in both British and American English, but its meaning is determined entirely by the several senses of mean. Although meaner is usually an adjective, it has a rare noun use meaning a person considered mean. The word is most useful when a comparison is intended rather than an absolute judgment: meaner emphasizes that one person, action, or thing is more unkind, contemptible, or inferior than another.
The comparative of mean: more unkind, ungenerous, contemptible, slight, or inferior, according to context.
"His explanation for the delay was meaner than the original mistake."
This is the ordinary modern use and normally appears with than or in a two-item comparison.
A person regarded as mean, especially one considered unkind, selfish, or morally contemptible.
"The old play portrays its meaners as malicious but essentially powerless figures."
This noun use is rare and can sound literary, archaic, or regional.
The plural is rare and is used when referring to multiple people regarded as mean.
"The novel's meaners are drawn as petty and malicious antagonists."
Meaner is not an unrelated idea: it is mean with one extra notch on the comparison scale.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of meaner
Meaner is formed grammatically by adding the comparative suffix -er to mean, so it is the comparative form of that adjective rather than a separate lexical root. Mean comes from Old English mǣne and belongs to a Germanic word family that also includes Dutch gemeen and German gemein, words associated with ideas such as common, vulgar, or base. Its relatives meaning, meaningful, and meaningless belong to the same broader etymological family, although meaning developed into distinct noun and verb uses.
Related word forms
How meaner is actually used
As an adjective, meaner is standard in both British and American English and is normally used in a comparative construction such as meaner than. Its exact connotation depends on the sense of mean being compared: unkind, miserly, contemptible, or inferior. The noun is rare and can sound literary or archaic.
Easily confused with meaner
Meaner is the comparative of mean, whereas manner means the way in which something is done or happens.