What does mean mean in the sentence?

[ysc1230]

HI teachers,

I wonder if a word like "mean" (adj.), which has positive and negative meanings, how we understand what people mean.

Situation:
John is a mean boss.

Whether John is good and skillful boss, or he is a unkind boss.

Can we determine without more context

Do you encounter this problem in life?

Thanks a lot.

[Hedwig]

Hullo, ysc1230. Here are some links you might want to explore.

www.dictionary.com
www.thefreedictionary.com
www.dictionary.cambridge.org
www.merriam-webster.com

Enjoy!

[ysc1230]

Hullo, ysc1230. Here are some links you might want to explore.

www.dictionary.com
www.thefreedictionary.com
www.dictionary.cambridge.org
www.merriam-webster.com

Enjoy!

I did have check the dictionaries.

However, "mean" has 2 sides of meanings.

so it is very difficult to understand when people use "mean" to describe someone's personality.

[5jj]

As you suggested yourself, ysc, it is not possible to say exactly what is meant without more context.

[BobK]

More context is of course necessary, but in most work contexts 'John is a mean boss' has a negative implication. In 'Jimi Hendrix plays a mean guitar solo' it's positive. There's no big problem here; words used with a strong sense of approval often start life as pejorative: mean, wicked, bad, sick... It's not difficult to work out - just look at the situation (looking at a book will only get you so far...)

b