mind

MYND/maɪnd/

Pluralminds

Verbminds, minding, minded

18 meanings of mind

Practice

1
nouncountable or uncountable
The part of you that thinks, feels, and is aware of things.
Like the software that runs on a computer, while the body is the machine.
Strange ideas kept passing through her mind as she fell asleep.
Scientists still wonder how the mind and the body work together.
UsageYour brain is in your head; your mind thinks. Say in my mind.
Oppositebody
Note
2
in your thoughtsnoununcountable
Your attention or thoughts, especially when you focus them on one thing.
Keep your little brother in mind when you choose the movie.
The big test was on her mind all week.
UsageKeep in mind means remember. On my mind means I keep thinking about it.
Similarattention, thoughts
Note
3
opinionnouncountable or uncountable
What a person thinks or believes about something.
He changed his mind and decided to stay home.
Speak your mind if you do not agree with the plan.
UsageChange your mind means decide something different. Make up your mind means decide.
Similaropinion, view, thinking, judgment
4
object toverbtransitive or intransitive
To feel bothered or upset by something.
Do you mind if I open the window?
I don't mind waiting a few minutes for you.
UsageSay do you mind if I sit here? Answer no to mean yes, it's OK.
Similardislike, resent, object, care
Oppositelike, welcome, enjoy
Note
5
verbdialectaltransitive
To remember something, or keep it in your thoughts so you do not forget it.
My grandmother still minds the day she first saw the sea.
I can't mind where I left my keys this morning.
Similarremember, recall, recollect
Oppositeforget
6
intellectnouncountable or uncountable
The part of a person that thinks, understands, and reasons.
Like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
Puzzles and games are a good way to exercise your mind.
Even at ninety, his mind was quick and clear.
Similarintellect, brain, intelligence, reason
7
nouncountable or uncountable
The part of you that stores and remembers things.
Like a notebook in your head where things are written down so you can find them later.
Her phone number slipped my mind the moment I needed it.
Grandpa's mind is still sharp, and he remembers every family birthday.
UsageIt slipped my mind means I forgot.
Similarmemory, recollection
Note
8
nouncountable or uncountable
The healthy, normal working of a person's thoughts.
After weeks alone in the cabin, he felt he was losing his mind.
No one in their right mind would swim in that freezing lake.
UsageAre you out of your mind? means are you crazy?
Similarsanity, reason, wits, senses
Note
9
thinkernouncountable or uncountable
A person who is known for being very smart or thoughtful.
Einstein was one of the greatest minds in science.
The new student is the best mind in our chess club.
UsageGreat minds think alike is a joke when two people have the same idea.
Similarthinker, intellect, brain, genius
Note
10
inclinationnouncountable or uncountable
A wish or plan to do something.
I have a mind to walk home instead of taking the bus.
I have a good mind to tell the teacher what you did.
UsageHalf a mind to or a good mind to leave means you feel like leaving but have not decided.
Similarinclination, desire, intention, wish
Note

Less common meanings

11
watch outverbtransitive
To be careful about something and watch out for it.
Mind the wet floor by the door.
She always minds her words when her little brother is listening.
UsageSay mind the step or mind your head to warn someone.
Similarwatch, heed
Note
12
listen and obeyverbtransitiveimperative
To listen to someone and do what they say, or to make sure that something is done.
The teacher told the children to mind her during the field trip.
Mind what your grandmother says about crossing the street.
UsageSay mind you don't fall to warn someone.
Similarobey, heed, ensure
Oppositedisobey, ignore, defy
Note
13
look afterverbtransitive
To watch or take care of someone or something for a short time.
Can you mind the baby while I cook dinner?
He minded the store while the owner stepped out.
UsageSay mind my bag to ask someone to watch it.
Similarwatch, tend, guard
Oppositeneglect
14
verbtransitive
To pay attention to something and take it seriously.
Don't mind my brother. He teases everyone.
She told the boys to mind their own business.
UsageMind your own business tells someone to stay out of other people's affairs. It can sound rude.
Similarheed, observe, follow
Oppositeignore, disregard
Note
15
howeververbIrelandUK
Used when you add a warning or an exception to what you just said.
It's a nice flat, but mind, the rent is not cheap.
Mind you, he never actually promised to drive us there.
UsageSay mind you before adding a small but: mind you, it's expensive.
Note
16
verb
To plan or want to do something. Today people mostly say "be minded to."
The city council seems minded to approve the new park next month.
I am minded to take the job, but I want to sleep on it.
UsageBe minded to sounds formal: the judge is minded to agree.
Similarintend, plan, mean, propose, aim
Note
17
verbobsolete
To make someone think of a person or thing.
This minds me of a cobbling colonel of famous memory.
1692, Roger L’Estrange, FablesHere, minds means reminds, so this makes me think of someone.
18
noun
A church service to remember someone who has died, held about a month or a year after their death.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of mind apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English ġemynd meaning "memory," going back to an ancient root meaning "to think."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Mind derives from Old English ġemynd, meaning memory. en.wikipedia.org
Ġemynd ultimately derives from an ancient root meaning to think. en.wiktionary.org