意味|いみimi[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbmeaning; significance; sense
   その語ごにはいくつかの意味いみがある。↗

   The word has several meanings.

• Synonym趣旨しゅしWrittenSpecifically the central point or purpose of a speech, document, or event, as in 「会の趣旨」; written/formal. For the meaning of a word or phrase itself, use 「意味」.
• Synonym意義いぎWrittenCan mean a word's inherent sense, but more often the value or importance of something, as in 「意義のある活動」; more solemn than 「意味がある」.
• Synonym意味合いいみあいNeutralA nuance or shade something carries, as in 「政治的な意味合い」; stresses an aspect or degree. Not used to explain a word's literal meaning.
• Synonym旨むねWrittenUsually in patterns like 「その旨」 or 「～旨を伝える」, giving the gist of what was said when relaying or notifying; written/formal. It cannot replace 「意味」 for word meaning.
• Synonym意いWrittenMostly in fixed phrases like 「意を決する」「意に介さない」「意を汲む」, for one's feelings or thoughts; written/formal. Use 「意味」 for word meanings.
• Synonym含意がんいWrittenWritten/formal word for the unstated implication behind what is said; also a logic term (material implication). 「意味」 is broader, covering literal and overall meaning.
• Synonym意味内容いみないようWrittenA term of linguistics and philosophy for the specific semantic content a word or sentence expresses; written/formal. In everyday speech, just say 「意味」.
• Synonym旨趣ししゅWrittenSame sense as 「趣旨」 — purport or intent, sometimes one's inner thoughts — but old-fashioned and rarely used. Say 「趣旨」 or 「意味」 instead.
• Synonym趣意しゅいWrittenThe motive or purpose behind something, or the basic point to convey; mostly in documents like 「設立趣意書」. 「趣旨」 is more common in everyday use.
• Related内容ないようNeutralWhat a text, work, or talk actually contains — what it says. 「意味」 is about what these express, what they mean.
• Related意思いしNeutralOne's will or intention to do something, as in 「参加の意思」. Its reading is close to that of 「意味」, but it never refers to a word's meaning.
• Related旨意しいWrittenIntent or purpose to do something; extremely rare, almost unused in modern Japanese. Say 「意図」 or 「目的」 in everyday contexts.
• Antonym無意味むいみNeutralAntonym to the value sense of 「意味」: pointless or futile, as in 「無意味な議論」; used as a na-adjective.

For the meaning of a word or sentence, or whether something has meaning, 「意味」 is the everyday choice. Use 「趣旨」 for the purport of a document or speech, 「意義」 to stress value, and 「含意」 or 「意味合い」 for implications or nuances.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. ある表現ひょうげんに対たいし、それによって示しめされる内容ないよう、概念がいねん。
2. 文脈ぶんみゃくにおいて規定きていされたり限定げんていされたりした意義いぎ。主旨しゅし。また理由りゆう。観点かんてん。
3. 行為こういや態度たいど、表現ひょうげんなどに込こめたねらい。意図いと。ふくみ。
4. 有用ゆうよう又または有効ゆうこうであること。積極的せっきょくてき価値かちを生しょうずること。重要性じゅうようせい。
5. 意味いみ（名詞めいし・語義ごぎ1の意いのみ）を有ゆうする。