i meant like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I meant like" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal.
You can use it when clarifying or explaining something in a casual context, often to provide an example or further detail. Example: "I meant like, when you say something is 'cool,' it can mean different things depending on the context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

4.03pm BST Halftime I'm going to be honest, I thought this game would be close at the half, but by close I meant like a 10-12 point USA lead.

The Guardian - Sport

I meant like you wouldn't believe.

Vice

Erm, no, I meant like an aspirational theme.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I mean, like, really.

The New York Times

They were banana yellow, I mean, like, yellow.

Vice

I mean, like, I just.

The New York Times

I mean, like, bam".

The New York Times - Sports

I mean, like you".

The New Yorker

"Yeah, I mean, like, I sleep.

The New York Times

"I mean, like, in prison or whatnot.

The New Yorker

Sharp, and I mean, like, personal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i meant like", ensure the context is casual. It's generally more suitable for spoken conversation than formal writing. Alternatives such as "i intended to say" or "what i meant was" are better for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "i meant like" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives to maintain a polished tone. Consider phrases like "i intended to convey" or "to clarify".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i meant like" functions as a discourse marker used for clarification or providing additional context to a previous statement. As Ludwig AI notes, it's usable in written English, though informal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i meant like" is an informal way to clarify or elaborate on a previous statement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in casual contexts, though more formal alternatives such as "i intended to say" or "what i meant was" are recommended for professional or academic writing. While examples are rare, the phrase appears predominantly in News & Media, reinforcing its informal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what i was trying to say

Focuses on the speaker's intention to communicate something specific.

what i intended to convey

Emphasizes the speaker's goal in communicating a particular message.

let me rephrase that

Suggests a need to express something more clearly.

by that i was referring to

Highlights a specific reference or subject the speaker had in mind.

what i actually meant was

Corrects a potential misunderstanding of the speaker's original statement.

to clarify my previous statement

Provides a more formal way to offer additional explanation.

in other words

Offers a simplified or more easily understood version of a previous statement.

i should have said

Acknowledges that a different wording might have been more effective.

more precisely

Refines a previous statement with greater accuracy.

i was getting at

Indicates the speaker was indirectly approaching a particular topic or conclusion.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "i meant like"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases such as "i intended to say", "what i meant was", or "to clarify my previous statement" instead of "i meant like".

Is "i meant like" grammatically correct?

While "i meant like" is understandable and commonly used in informal conversation, it is considered grammatically informal. It's better to use alternatives such as "what i meant was" or "i intended to say" in more formal settings.

How can I use "i meant like" in a sentence?

You can use "i meant like" to clarify a previous statement, especially in informal conversation. For example, "I said it was expensive, i meant like, really expensive."

What's the difference between "i meant like" and "i mean like"?

"I meant like" is used to clarify something you already said, while "i mean like" is used to explain what you're currently saying. Both are informal, but "i meant like" refers to a past statement, whereas "i mean like" explains a present one.