Definition

1. Noun:

   • The 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: The "mind" is the center of intellect, emotion, and perception.
   • A person's intellect or cognitive faculties: Refers to a person's intelligence or mental capability.
   • A person's attention or thoughts: The focus of one's consciousness.
   • A person's memory or recollection: The faculty of remembering.
   • A person's opinion, intention, or decision: What one thinks, plans, or has resolved to do.
   • A person of great intellectual ability: An exceptionally intelligent or creative person.

2. Verb:

   • To be distressed, annoyed, or object to (something): To feel bothered or inconvenienced by something.
   • To pay attention to; to heed or be careful about: To be cautious or attentive regarding something.
   • To look after or take care of (someone or something): To be responsible for the care or supervision of.
   • To be cautious or careful: To be on one's guard.
   • To remember or bear in mind: To keep something in one's thoughts.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He has a brilliant mind for mathematics. (He possesses great intellectual ability in math.)
  • I can't get that song out of my mind. (I can't stop remembering that song.)
  • Please keep my advice in mind. (Please remember my advice.)
  • She changed her mind about the trip. (She altered her decision or opinion about the trip.)
  • The philosopher is one of the great minds of our time. (The philosopher is one of the great intellectuals of our era.)

• Verb:

  • Do you mind if I open the window? (Do you object to me opening the window?)
  • Mind the step, it's slippery. (Be careful of the step; pay attention to it.)
  • Could you mind my bag while I buy a ticket? (Could you look after my bag for a moment?)
  • You should mind what your teacher says. (You should heed your teacher's words.)

Advanced Usage

• "To have a mind of one's own": To be independent and determined in one's thoughts and actions.
  • That toddler already has a mind of her own.
• "To be in two minds": To be undecided or uncertain.
  • I'm in two minds about accepting the job offer.
• "To give someone a piece of one's mind": To express one's disapproval or anger to someone frankly.
  • After the mistake, she gave the contractor a piece of her mind.
• "Out of sight, out of mind": Said to emphasize that people stop thinking about something or someone when they are not present.
  • I haven't thought about that project in months—out of sight, out of mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Minded (adjective): Having a particular kind of mind, disposition, or interest.
  • She is very strong-minded.
• Mindful (adjective): Conscious or aware of something.
  • Be mindful of your spending.
• Mindless (adjective): Acting or done without justification or concern for the consequences; lacking intelligence.
  • It was a mindless act of vandalism.

Synonyms

• Noun: Intellect, brain, psyche, consciousness, memory, opinion, intention, genius.
• Verb: Object (to), care, bother, heed, attend (to), watch, look after, remember.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Mind out: Used to warn someone to be careful.
  • Mind out! There's a car coming!
• Never mind: Used to tell someone not to worry about something; or to disregard something.
  • "I forgot the book." "Never mind, we can use mine."

Related Idioms

• "A load/weight off one's mind": A relief from anxiety.
  • Finishing the thesis was a great weight off my mind.
• "Blow someone's mind": To overwhelm or amaze someone, often with a new idea or experience.
  • The special effects in that movie blew my mind.
• "Bear/keep in mind": To remember or consider something.
  • Bear in mind that the store closes early on Sundays.
• "Make up one's mind": To decide.
  • You need to make up your mind by tomorrow.

Noun

1. knowledge and intellectual ability
   • he reads to improve his mind
   • he has a keen intellect
2. your intention; what you intend to do
   • he had in mind to see his old teacher
   • the idea of the game is to capture all the pieces
3. attention
   • don't pay him any mind
4. an important intellectual
   • the great minds of the 17th century
5. an opinion formed by judging something
   • he was reluctant to make his judgment known
   • she changed her mind
6. recall or remembrance
   • it came to mind
7. that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason
   • his mind wandered
   • I couldn't get his words out of my head

Verb

1. keep in mind
2. be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
   • Beware of telephone salesmen
3. pay close attention to; give heed to
   • Heed the advice of the old men
4. be in charge of or deal with
   • She takes care of all the necessary arrangements
5. be concerned with or about something or somebody
6. be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by
   • I don't mind your behavior