mind

[ mahynd ]

/ maɪnd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: mind / minded / minding on Thesaurus.com

noun

(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.

attention; thoughts: He can't keep his mind on his studies.

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR mind

1 reason.

11 bent, leaning, proclivity, penchant; liking; wish.

12 intent.

21 mark.

See synonyms for mind on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun minde, miende, mende, Old English gemynd “memory, remembrance, mind”; cognate with Gothic gamunds; akin to Latin mēns (stem ment- ) “mind,” Greek manía “madness”; verb derivative of the noun

synonym study for mind

1. Mind, intellect, intelligence refer to mental equipment or qualities. Mind is that part of a human being that thinks, feels, and wills, as contrasted with body: His mind was capable of grasping the significance of the problem. Intellect is reasoning power as distinguished from feeling; it is often used in a general sense to characterize high mental ability: to appeal to the intellect, rather than the emotions. Intelligence is ability to learn and to understand; it is also mental alertness or quickness of understanding: A dog has more intelligence than many other animals. 6. Mind, brain, brains may refer to mental capacity. Mind is the philosophical and general term for the center of mental activity, and is therefore used of intellectual powers: a brilliant mind. Brain is properly the physiological term for the organic structure that makes mental activity possible ( The brain is the center of the nervous system. ), but it is often applied, like mind, to intellectual capacity: a fertile brain. Brains is the anatomical word ( the brains of an animal used for food ), but, in popular usage, it is applied to intelligence (particularly of a shrewd, practical nature): To run a business takes brains.

OTHER WORDS FROM mind

sub·mind, nounun·mind·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mind in a sentence

With that in mind, we sought out stocks in six categories that are poised to deliver big results as the world rebuilds.
The 21 best stocks to buy for 2021|Anne Sraders|November 20, 2020|Fortune
The tale calls to mind classics such as “It” and “Ghost Story.”
Best science fiction, fantasy and horror books of 2020|Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Lavie Tidhar|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
I think the ideas Best is grappling with are interesting either way, but keep that grain of salt in mind.
Rethinking the Cross-Training Paradox|Alex Hutchinson|November 19, 2020|Outside Online
However, there are two notable factors to bear in mind here.
Airlines saw an immediate boost in passenger bookings following vaccine announcements|David Meyer|November 17, 2020|Fortune

Keep in mind that groups don’t evolve to become more “advanced” than their ancestors.
Scientists Say: Evolution|Bethany Brookshire|November 16, 2020|Science News For Students
By the age of five, Eugenie was tasked with minding the pig herds, rising before dawn to keep an eye on the snuffling porkers.
The Queen of the French Kitchen|Katie Baker|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Expect to leave the tribute happily humming the haunting notes of “Alfie” and not minding any raindrops falling on your head.
10 Best Plays of the Year: Richard III, No Man’s Land, and More|Janice Kaplan|December 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
You grow used to seeing evil done, to letting it go; you begin by not minding, you end by doing it yourself.
Happy Birthday, Balzac: The Essential Novels|Ronald K. Fried|May 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
John Leo is editor of Minding the Campus, the Manhattan Institute site on colleges and universities.
A Short History of the F-Bomb|John Leo|April 21, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Who was minding the store when 92,000 documents were purloined, Big Brother or Big Momma?
4 Burning Questions After WikiLeaks|Ken Allard|July 27, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Louis the Goon went along, looking neither to right nor left, docilely intent on minding his own business.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Nothing goes wrong enough with me to give me a handsome excuse for minding it.
The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
The driver could not tell where he had been that night, not here certainly, but wherever it was he was minding his own business.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
"We are much obliged to you for not minding about the window," Bess added, forgetting her shyness.
The Story of the Big Front Door|Mary Finley Leonard
He won't never speak to another girl minding her own business as he spoke to us.
The Leaven in a Great City|Lillian William Betts

British Dictionary definitions for mind

mind

/ (maɪnd) /

noun

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; memoryit comes to mind

the faculty of original or creative thought; imaginationit's all in the mind

a person considered as an intellectual beingthe great minds of the past

opinion or sentimentwe 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 thoughtno peace of mind; his state of mind

an inclination, desire, or purposeI have a mind to go

attention or thoughtskeep your mind on your work

a sound mental state; sanity (esp in the phrase out of one's mind)

intelligence, as opposed to material thingsthe 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; waveringhe 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

verb

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to take offence atdo you mind if I smoke? I don't mind

to pay attention to (something); heed; noticeto mind one's own business

(tr; takes a clause as object) to make certain; ensuremind you tell her

(tr) to take care of; have charge ofto 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); heedmind 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 rememberdo ye mind his name?

(tr) Scot to remindthat minds me of another story

mind you an expression qualifying a previous statementDogs are nice. Mind you, I don't like all dogs Related adjectives: mental, noetic, phrenic

Word Origin for mind

Old English gemynd mind; related to Old High German gimunt memory

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

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

mind

OTHER WORDS FOR mind

Idioms about mind

Origin of mind

synonym study for mind

OTHER WORDS FROM mind

Words related to mind

How to use mind in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mind

Word Origin for mind

Other Idioms and Phrases with mind