mind
(in a human or other conscious being) the element, part, substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc.: the processes of the human mind.
Psychology. the totality of conscious and unconscious mental processes and activities.
intellect or understanding, as distinguished from the faculties of feeling and willing; intelligence.
a particular instance of the intellect or intelligence, as in a person.
a person considered with reference to intellectual power: the greatest minds of the twentieth century.
intellectual power or ability.
reason, sanity, or sound mental condition: to lose one's mind.
a way of thinking and feeling; disposition; temper: a liberal mind.
a state of awareness or remembrance: The poem puts me in mind of experiences both new and forgotten.
opinion, view, or sentiments: to change one's mind.
inclination or desire: to be of a mind to listen.
purpose, intention, or will: Let me know your mind in this matter before Tuesday.
psychic or spiritual being, as opposed to matter.
a conscious or intelligent agency or being: an awareness of a mind ordering the universe.
remembrance or recollection; memory: Former days were called to mind.
Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. notice; attention: When he's like that, just pay him no mind.
Roman Catholic Church. a commemoration of a person's death, especially by a Requiem Mass.: Compare month's mind, year's mind.
(initial capital letter)Also called Divine Mind. Christian Science. God; the incorporeal source of life, substance, and intelligence.: Compare mortal mind.
to pay attention to.
to heed or obey (a person, advice, instructions, etc.).
to apply oneself or attend to: to mind one's own business.
to look after; take care of; tend: to mind the baby.
to be careful, cautious, or wary about: Mind what you say.
to feel concern at; care about.
to feel disturbed or inconvenienced by; object to (usually used in negative or interrogative constructions): Would you mind handing me that book?
to regard as concerning oneself or as mattering: Don't mind his bluntness.
Dialect.
to perceive or notice.
to remember.
to remind.
to pay attention.
to obey.
to take notice, observe, or understand (used chiefly in the imperative): Mind now, I want you home by twelve.
to be careful or wary.
to care, feel concern, or object (often used in negative or interrogative constructions): Mind if I go? Don't mind if I do.
to regard a thing as concerning oneself or as mattering: You mustn't mind about their gossiping.
Idioms about mind
bear / keep in mind, to remember: Bear in mind that the newspaper account may be in error.
blow one's mind, Slang.
to change one's perceptions, awareness, etc., as through the use of drugs or narcotics.
to overwhelm a person with intense excitement, pleasure, astonishment, or dismay: Cool jazz really blows my mind.
cross one's mind, to occur suddenly to one: A disturbing thought crossed her mind.
frame of mind. See entry at frame of mind.
give someone a piece of one's mind, Informal. to rebuke, reprimand, or scold sharply: I'll give him a piece of my mind for telling such a lie!
have a good mind to, to feel tempted or inclined to: I have a good mind to leave you here all alone.
have half a mind to, to be almost decided to; be inclined to.
know one's own mind, to be firm in one's intentions, opinions, or plans; have assurance: She may be only a child, but she knows her own mind.
make up one's mind, to decide; form an opinion or decision; resolve: He couldn't make up his mind which course to follow.
meeting of minds, complete agreement; accord: A meeting of minds between the union and the employer seemed impossible.
never mind, don't worry or be troubled; it is of no concern: Never mind—the broken glass will be easy to replace.
on one's mind, constantly in one's thoughts; of concern to one: The approaching trial was on his mind.
out of one's mind,
mad; insane: You must be out of your mind to say such a ridiculous thing.
totally distracted: He's out of his mind with worry.
emotionally overwhelmed: out of her mind with joy.
presence of mind, ability to think and to remain in control of oneself during a crisis or under stress: She had enough presence of mind to remember the license plate of the speeding car.
state of mind. See entry at state of mind.
Origin of mind
1synonym study For mind
Other words for mind
1 | reason |
11 | bent, leaning, proclivity, penchant; liking; wish |
12 | intent |
21 | mark |
Other words from mind
- sub·mind, noun
- un·mind·ing, adjective
Words Nearby mind
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use mind in a sentence
Researchers have, likewise, gained a deeper understanding of the ways students’ minds work.
Why hasn’t digital learning lived up to its promise? | Walter Thompson | September 17, 2020 | TechCrunchWith that in mind, here are the organizations where your money will likely do the most good.
Want to fight climate change effectively? Here’s where to donate your money. | Sigal Samuel | September 17, 2020 | VoxKeep in mind that if your state mailed you a ballot, you may be required to bring it with you if you decide to vote in person.
Why you should vote as early as possible (and how to do it) | John Kennedy | September 17, 2020 | Popular-SciencePreparing a backup plan may help set your mind at ease in unpredictable times.
ProPublica’s Pandemic Guide to Making Sure Your Vote Counts | by Susie Armitage | September 16, 2020 | ProPublicaAs things stand right now, E-A-T is not something to keep in mind while doing day-to-day SEO operations.
Google ranking factors to change search in 2021: Core Web Vitals, E-A-T, or AMP? | Aleh Barysevich | September 16, 2020 | Search Engine Watch
And not just sick in the body but in your mind, because you start obsessing.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze | Lizzie Crocker | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe questions going through my mind are: How on earth are there Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers in the heart of Paris?
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive | Ayaan Hirsi Ali | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTTrue, this may not be what James Madison had in mind when he was writing the Bill of Rights.
And keep in mind that when Huckabee ran for president in 2008, he won the Iowa caucuses.
Accusing his opponents of being locked in a Cold War mind-set, it is Stone who is beholden to old orthodoxies.
Other things being equal, the volume of voice used measures the value that the mind puts upon the thought.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickHe was too drowsy to hold the thought more than a moment in his mind, much less to reflect upon it.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood"There's just one thing I'd like to ask, if you don't mind," said Cynthia, coming suddenly out of a brown study.
The Boarded-Up House | Augusta Huiell SeamanThe vision—it had been an instantaneous flash after all and nothing more—had left his mind completely for the time.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodMany British Ferns evidence a marked tendency to “sport,” and this is a fact which the beginner should always bear in mind.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard Bastin
British Dictionary definitions for mind
/ (maɪnd) /
the human faculty to which are ascribed thought, feeling, etc; often regarded as an immaterial part of a person
intelligence or the intellect, esp as opposed to feelings or wishes
recollection or remembrance; memory: it comes to mind
the faculty of original or creative thought; imagination: it's all in the mind
a person considered as an intellectual being: the great minds of the past
opinion or sentiment: we are of the same mind; to change one's mind; to have a mind of one's own; to know one's mind; to speak one's mind
condition, state, or manner of feeling or thought: no peace of mind; his state of mind
an inclination, desire, or purpose: I have a mind to go
attention or thoughts: keep your mind on your work
a sound mental state; sanity (esp in the phrase out of one's mind)
intelligence, as opposed to material things: the mind of the universe
(in Cartesian philosophy) one of two basic modes of existence, the other being matter
blow someone's mind slang
to cause someone to have a psychedelic experience
to astound or surprise someone
give someone a piece of one's mind to criticize or censure (someone) frankly or vehemently
in two minds or of two minds undecided; wavering: he was in two minds about marriage
make up one's mind to decide (something or to do something): he made up his mind to go
on one's mind in one's thoughts
put one in mind of to remind (one) of
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to take offence at: do you mind if I smoke? I don't mind
to pay attention to (something); heed; notice: to mind one's own business
(tr; takes a clause as object) to make certain; ensure: mind you tell her
(tr) to take care of; have charge of: to mind the shop
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to be cautious or careful about (something): mind how you go; mind your step
(tr) to obey (someone or something); heed: mind your father!
to be concerned (about); be troubled (about): never mind your hat; never mind about your hat; never mind
(tr; passive; takes an infinitive) to be intending or inclined (to do something): clearly he was not minded to finish the story
(tr) Scot and English dialect to remember: do ye mind his name?
(tr) Scot to remind: that minds me of another story
mind you an expression qualifying a previous statement: Dogs are nice. Mind you, I don't like all dogs Related adjectives: mental, noetic, phrenic
Origin of mind
1- See also mind out
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with mind
In addition to the idioms beginning with mind
- mind like a steel trap, have a
- mind of one's own, have a
- mind one's own business
- mind one's p's and q's
- mind over matter
- mind the store
also see:
- back of one's mind
- bear in mind
- blow one's mind
- boggle the mind
- bring to mind
- call to mind
- change one's mind
- come to mind
- cross one's mind
- frame of mind
- go out of one's mind
- great minds
- half a mind
- have a good mind to
- in one's mind's eye
- in one's right mind
- know one's own mind
- load off one's mind
- lose one's mind
- make up one's mind
- meeting of the minds
- never mind
- of two minds
- one-track mind
- on one's mind
- open mind
- out of sight (out of mind)
- piece of one's mind
- presence of mind
- prey on (one's mind)
- put one in mind of
- read someone's mind
- set one's mind at rest
- slip one's mind
- speak one's mind
- to my mind
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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