have the means to

/hæv ðə miːnz tuː/

possess resources

She has the means to travel abroad.

She has enough money or ability to travel abroad.

formal

To possess sufficient resources (money, ability, equipment, etc.) to do something.

If you have the means to start a business, you should consider it.

If you have enough money and skills to start a business, you should think about it.

Often used when discussing financial or material capability; the phrase is followed by an infinitive verb.

Collocations

have the meansto have sufficient resources

same as ‘have the means to’

to have the ability or circumstances to do something

‘Have the means’ is always followed by an infinitive verb (e.g., ‘have the means to travel’).

Don’t say ‘have the means to be able to’; the phrase already conveys ability.

‘have’ from Old English *habban*; ‘means’ from Latin *medium* via Old French; ‘to’ is the infinitive marker from Old English *tō*.

Commonly used when the speaker wants to emphasize the availability of resources rather than mere ability. It is more formal than simply saying “can”.

have

possess, own

root

English Dictionary