Mind
/maɪnd/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought.
/maɪnd/
The faculty of thinking, reasoning, and understanding.
She has a brilliant mind.
💡 Simply: Your mind is like your brain's control center. It's where you have thoughts, feelings, and memories. Like, when you think about what you want to eat, that's your mind working!
👶 For kids: Your mind is what helps you think, remember, and feel things.
More Examples
The human mind is capable of amazing feats.
His mind was racing with ideas.
How It's Used
"The study examined the relationship between the mind and the body."
"Philosophers have debated the nature of the mind for centuries."
Attention or notice; care or regard.
/maɪnd/
Attention or notice.
Pay no mind to his eccentricities.
💡 Simply: Paying 'mind' is like paying attention to something. If your friend is talking about something important, you'd 'pay mind' to them, right?
👶 For kids: When you pay mind, it means you are paying attention!
More Examples
Give the task your undivided mind.
How It's Used
"Pay no mind to their comments."
To be annoyed or bothered by; object to.
/maɪnd/
To be bothered or to object.
Would you mind waiting here?
💡 Simply: 'Minding' something is like saying you're okay with something or not. Like, "Would you mind if I borrow your pen?" means are you okay with it?
👶 For kids: If you 'mind' something, it means it bothers you or you don't like it.
More Examples
I don't mind helping you.
Do you mind if I use your phone?
How It's Used
"Would you mind opening the window?"
To pay attention to; take care of.
/maɪnd/
To pay attention to or take care of.
Mind your manners.
💡 Simply: When you 'mind' something, you pay attention to it and take care of it. Like, when you're crossing the street, you have to 'mind' the traffic.
👶 For kids: To mind means to watch or take care of something.
More Examples
Mind the children while I'm gone.
Mind how you go on the icy path.
How It's Used
"Mind the gap when you're getting off the train."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Make up one's mind
To reach a decision; to decide.
"I can't seem to make up my mind about which job offer to accept."
Have a mind of one's own
To have independent thoughts and opinions; not easily influenced.
"She has a mind of her own and won't be swayed by peer pressure."
To be in two minds
To be uncertain about something; to be undecided.
"I'm in two minds about whether to go to the party tonight."
Mind your own business
Used to tell someone to stop being involved in your affairs; don't interfere.
"I don't want to talk about it. Mind your own business!"
A meeting of minds
When people share similar ideas or opinions.
"After a long discussion, they finally had a meeting of minds and agreed on the project plan."
From Old English *gemynd* (mind, memory, thought), related to *gemunan* (to remember). The Proto-Germanic root is *mun-*, meaning 'to think' or 'remember'.
The word 'mind' has been used since Old English times to refer to the faculty of thought, memory, and consciousness. Its usage has remained relatively consistent across the centuries, although the specific nuances of meaning have evolved.
Memory tip
Think of your MIND as the central processing unit of your thoughts and feelings.
Word Origin
"To think, remember"