mind's eye

The phrase mind’s eye refers to the part of your mind that allows you to visualize things—to “see” them in your imagination.

When you see something in your mind’s eye, you are picturing it in your mind. This can happen when you have a memory of something that you’ve actually seen, or when you try to visualize something that you haven’t seen or even something that doesn’t exist. When you’re reading a book, the words often cause images to form in your mind’s eye.

The term is also sometimes used as another way to refer to the imagination in general, such as in the context of visualizing abstract things like success.

Example: This author’s writing really makes the story come alive in my mind’s eye.

The first records of the term mind’s eye come from around 1400.

The mind’s eye is where you can see things without seeing them with your actual eyes. Of course, your memory and imagination also allow you to recall other sensations, such as what something sounded like, tasted like, felt like, or smelled like. But the term mind’s eye is specifically used in reference to visualization.

What are some synonyms for mind’s eye?

• imagination

What are some words that share a root or word element with mind’s eye? 

• mind
• eye
• third eye

What are some words that often get used in discussing mind’s eye?

• see
• visualize
• picture
• imagine
• image
• reading
• memory
• daydream

Mind’s eye can be used in any context in which something is being visualized, such as during a daydream, when having a memory, or when reading a story.

I'm a very visual writer. Every scene in my writing I envision in my mind's eye as I write it, so it's really easy to remember how my characters look. It's like a movie and the book are created simultaneously. That visual aspect also helps keep the emotional charge of scenes.

— Bradley Woods (@bradwoodsbooks) September 8, 2020

"When I remember things I do not see them." A writer with aphantasia on living without a mind's eyehttps://t.co/KGU4BJswFY pic.twitter.com/QYyuZiOfTC

— Electric Literature (@ElectricLit) June 30, 2017

Got some positive feedback on the 1st article I sent to my advisor. I feel better about things. I'm still very stuck on my trial design. I just can't see it practically in my mind's eye.

— Research Pixie (@VenitHiems) July 21, 2020

If mind’s eye refers to the part of the mind that allows you to visualize things, what should be the term for the part of the mind that allows you to imagine smells?

A. the mind’s skin
B. the mind’s ear
C. the mind’s nose
D. the mind’s tongue