ADJ

appropriate, best, effective, efficient, reliable, useful
an effective means of mass communication
necessary, possible, practicable
We will use every possible means to achieve our objective
alternative, other
War is famously 'the continuation of policy by other means'
conventional, traditional
legal, legitimate

VERB + MEANS

have
We have no means of knowing how they will react
use
offer (sb), provide (sb with)
My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry
devise
Can you devise a means of overcoming the problem?

PREP

by ~ (of)
The stone was lifted by means of a rope and pulley
through ~
They cannot achieve their goal through legal means
~ for
the means for achieving happiness
~ of
a means of access/communication/transport a means of getting what you want

PHRASES

a means to an end
He saw his education merely as a means to an end
by fair means or foul, by no means/not by any means (= not at all), ways and means
There are ways and means of raising money

ADJ

independent, private
She must have independent means to live in such style
limited, moderate, modest, slender
visible
people who lack visible means of support

VERB + MEANS

have
lack

MEANS + NOUN

test
Eligibility for the benefit was determined by a means test

PREP

according to your ~ (= according to what you can afford), beyond your ~
Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford)
within your ~
(= according to what you can afford) She finds it difficult to live within her means

PHRASES

a man/woman of means (= a rich man/woman)