0%

mean-spirited

mean-spir·it·ed
M m

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [meen spir-i-tid]
    • /min ˈspɪr ɪ tɪd/
    • /miːn ˈspɪr.ɪ.tɪd/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [meen spir-i-tid]
    • /min ˈspɪr ɪ tɪd/

Definitions of mean-spirited word

  • adjective mean-spirited petty; small-minded; ungenerous: a meanspirited man, unwilling to forgive. 1
  • adjective mean-spirited characterized by malice or pettiness 0
  • adjective mean-spirited characterized by or displaying a propensity to be mean; selfish, malicious, etc. 0
  • adjective mean-spirited Having a base, nasty, petty, or malevolent disposition. 0
See all 4 definitions of mean-spirited

Information block about the term

Origin of mean-spirited

First appearance:

before 1685
One of the 48% oldest English words
First recorded in 1685-95; mean2 + spirited

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Mean-spirited

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Mean-spirited

mean-spirited popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 48% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 51% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

Synonyms for mean-spirited

adj mean-spirited

  • cowardly — If you describe someone as cowardly, you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid doing dangerous and difficult things.
  • mean — to intend for a particular purpose, destination, etc.: They were meant for each other. Synonyms: destine, foreordain.
  • servile — slavishly submissive or obsequious; fawning: servile flatterers.
  • timid — lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy.
  • weak — not strong; liable to yield, break, or collapse under pressure or strain; fragile; frail: a weak fortress; a weak spot in armor.
All 5 Synonyms of mean-spirited

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?