What does "mind" mean?
The capability for rational thought.
Mind
/maɪnd/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The capability for rational thought.
- Grammar: mind is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: intellect, psyche, brain, head.
- Useful contrasts: amnesia, approve, atman.
- Usage evidence: I have too many things on my mind these days.
How to use "mind"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "mind" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "mind" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "mind" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "mind" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "mind" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "intellect" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "mind", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The capability for rational thought. countable, uncountable
"Despite advancing age, his mind was still as sharp as ever."
- 2 that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason wordnet
- 3 The ability to be aware of things. countable, uncountable
"There was no doubt in his mind that they would win."
- 4 knowledge and intellectual ability wordnet
- 5 The ability to remember things. countable, uncountable
"My mind just went blank."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 attention wordnet
- 7 The ability to focus the thoughts. countable, uncountable
"I can’t keep my mind on what I’m doing."
- 8 recall or remembrance wordnet
- 9 Somebody that embodies certain mental qualities. countable, uncountable
"He was one of history’s greatest minds."
- 10 an opinion formed by judging something wordnet
- 11 Judgment, opinion, or view. countable, uncountable
"He changed his mind after hearing the speech."
- 12 your intention; what you intend to do wordnet
- 13 Desire, inclination, or intention. countable, uncountable
"She had a mind to go to Paris."
- 14 an important intellectual wordnet
- 15 A healthy mental state. countable, uncountable
"I, ______ being of sound mind and body, do hereby[…]"
- 16 The non-material substance or set of processes in which consciousness, perception, affectivity, judgement, thinking, and will are based. countable, uncountable
"The nature of the mind is a major topic in philosophy."
- 17 Continual prayer on a dead person's behalf for a period after their death. countable, uncountable
"a month's [or monthly] mind; a year's mind"
- 18 Attention, consideration or thought. uncountable
"They are the “tars” who give mind to the spreading sail, and their bold courage is the pabulum which will preserve our sea-girt isle in its vernal green to furthest posterity."
Verb
- 1 To bring or recall to mind; to remember; bear or keep in mind.
"Mind to-morrow's early meeting!"
- 2 keep in mind wordnet
- 3 To remember. regional
"The land where I shall mind you not / Is the land where all's forgot."
- 4 be concerned with or about something or somebody wordnet
- 5 To remind; put one's mind on. dialectal, obsolete
"Farewell, kind lord; fight valiantly to-day: / And yet I do thee wrong to mind thee of it, / For thou art framed of the firm truth of valour."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to wordnet
- 7 To turn one's mind to; to observe; to notice.
"Here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me / For bringing wood in slowly. I'll fall flat; / Perchance he will not mind me."
- 8 be offended or bothered by; take offense with, be bothered by wordnet
- 9 To regard with attention; to treat as of consequence.
"Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."
- 10 be in charge of or deal with wordnet
- 11 To pay attention or heed to so as to obey; hence to obey; to make sure, to take care (that). imperative
"Mind you don't knock that glass over."
- 12 pay close attention to; give heed to wordnet
- 13 To pay attention to, in the sense of occupying one's mind with, to heed.
"You should mind your own business."
- 14 To look after, to take care of, especially for a short period of time.
"Would you mind my bag for me?"
- 15 To be careful about.
"Bank Underground Station, London, is built on a curve, leaving a potentially dangerous gap between platform and carriage to trap the unwary. The loudspeaker voice instructs passengers to "Mind the gap": the boundary between train and platform."
- 16 To purpose, intend, plan.
"I mind to tell him plainly what I think."
- 17 Take note; used to point out an exception or caveat. Ireland, UK
"I'm not very healthy. I do eat fruit sometimes, mind."
- 18 To dislike, to object to; to be bothered by.
"I wouldn't mind an ice cream right now."
Example
"I have too many things on my mind these days."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "mind"?
Common synonyms include: intellect, psyche, brain, head, idea, judgement.
How do you use "mind" in a sentence?
I have too many things on my mind these days.
How do you pronounce "mind"?
Pronounced /maɪnd/.
Etymology
From Middle English minde, munde, imynde, imunde, ȝemynde, ȝemunde, from Old English mynd, ġemynd (“mind, memory”), from Proto-West Germanic *mundi, *gamundi, from Proto-Germanic *mundiz, *gamundiz (“memory, remembrance”), from Proto-Indo-European *méntis (“thought”) (compare also mantis, via Greek), from the root *men- (“to think”). Cognate with Old High German gimunt ("mind, memory, remembrance"; Middle High German munst (“love, benevolence, joy”)), Old Norse mynd (“image, model”), Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌼𐌿𐌽𐌳𐍃 (gamunds, “remembrance, memory, mind”). Related also to Danish minde (“memory”), Swedish minne (“memory”), Icelandic minni (“memory, recall, recollection”), Latin mēns (“mind, reason”), Sanskrit मनस् (mánas), Ancient Greek μένος (ménos), Albanian mënd (“mind, reason”). Related to mantra. Compare also Old English myntan (“to mean, intend, purpose, determine, resolve”). More at mint.