meant to (be/do something)

idiom

: 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.

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Their efforts aim to bring some comfort and stability during what is meant to be a joyful time of year. —

Alex Harrington, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 It was apparently meant at least in part to be a message meant to unite the room. —

Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 This isn’t meant to denigrate Baez, an intelligent, exquisite artist whose relationship with Dylan might have made a more interesting film. —

Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024 Each attack plan is usually meant to be analyzed by a group of officers, which often includes a military lawyer who can advise on whether strikes might be unnecessary or unlawful. —

Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meant to (be/do something)

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“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 30 Dec. 2024.

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