- 1 [countable, uncountable] the part of a person that makes them able to be aware of things, to think and to feel the conscious/subconscious mind There were all kinds of thoughts running through my mind. There was no doubt in his mind that he'd get the job. ‘Drugs’ are associated in most people's minds with drug abuse. She was in a disturbed state of mind. I could not have complete peace of mind before they returned. see also frame of mind, presence of mind Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivehuman, conscious, subconscious, … verb + mindcome into, come to, cross, … mind + verbwork, drift, stray, … prepositionin your mind, in mind, on your mind, … phrasesat the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, … See full entry
- 2 [countable] your ability to think and reason; your intelligence; the particular way that somebody thinks synonym intellect to have a brilliant/good/keen mind a creative/evil/suspicious mind She had a lively and enquiring mind. His mind is as sharp as ever. I've no idea how her mind works! He had the body of a man and the mind of a child. insights into the criminal mind see also one-track mind Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivehuman, conscious, subconscious, … verb + mindcome into, come to, cross, … mind + verbwork, drift, stray, … prepositionin your mind, in mind, on your mind, … phrasesat the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, … See full entry intelligent person
- 3[countable] a person who is very intelligent synonym brain She was one of the greatest minds of her generation. see also mastermind Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivehuman, conscious, subconscious, … verb + mindcome into, come to, cross, … mind + verbwork, drift, stray, … prepositionin your mind, in mind, on your mind, … phrasesat the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, … See full entry thoughts
- 4 [countable] your thoughts, interest, etc. Keep your mind on your work! Her mind is completely occupied by the new baby. The lecture dragged on and my mind wandered. Your mind’s not on the job. He gave his mind to the arrangements for the next day. As for avoiding you, nothing could be further from my mind (= I was not thinking of it at all). Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivehuman, conscious, subconscious, … verb + mindcome into, come to, cross, … mind + verbwork, drift, stray, … prepositionin your mind, in mind, on your mind, … phrasesat the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, … See full entry memory
- 5 [countable, usually singular] your ability to remember things When I saw the exam questions my mind just went blank (= I couldn't remember anything). Sorry—your name has gone right out of my mind. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivehuman, conscious, subconscious, … verb + mindcome into, come to, cross, … mind + verbwork, drift, stray, … prepositionin your mind, in mind, on your mind, … phrasesat the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, … See full entry Word OriginOld English gemynd ‘memory, thought’, of Germanic origin, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘revolve in the mind, think’, shared by Sanskrit manas and Latin mens ‘mind’.Extra examples Exhaustion clouded her mind. He feared he was losing his mind. He had closed his mind to anything new. He occupied his mind by playing cards against himself. He wanted us to focus our minds on unsolved problems. He’s in rather a negative frame of mind. Her mind began to wander. Her mind was still reeling from the shock. Here are some important points to keep in mind… His comments did nothing to ease my mind. His mind raced, trying to think of a way out of the situation. Honestly, all you ever talk about is sex—you have a one-track mind! I couldn’t get my mind around the concept. I have a lot on my mind at the moment. I need a clear mind if I want to continue with my work. I’ll keep what you say in mind. I’ll never understand how his mind works. I’m sorry I forgot your birthday—it completely slipped my mind. I’m sure someone can help you, but no one immediately springs to mind. It was something she had never imagined, not even in the deepest recesses of her mind. It’s been preying on my mind ever since it happened. Just free your mind and write whatever comes. Kate desperately searched her mind for some excuse. My mind turned to more practical matters. Our subconscious mind tries to protect us. Serious doubts began to flood my mind. She was poisoning his mind and turning him against his family. She was the only person who understood his mind. Tell me what you want—I can’t read your mind! The problem was always at the back of my mind. The thought never crossed my mind! Their own problems of course remained uppermost in their minds. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that he was guilty. Try meditating to clear your mind of negative thoughts. Try to keep an open mind until you’ve heard all the facts. Try to keep safety in the forefront of your mind at all times. What kind of party do you have in mind? Who in their right mind would want to marry a murderer? You can do whatever you set your mind to. You have to train your mind to think positively. You’ve been in my mind a lot lately. a collection of photographs that will blow your mind a problem that has defeated the world’s finest minds a subject which was on the nation’s collective mind impressionable young minds that are easily influenced influencing impressionable young minds refreshed in mind and body terrible images that will be imprinted on our minds for ever the complex nature of the human mind ‘Drugs’ are associated in most people’s minds with drug abuse. Did you know you have a nasty suspicious mind? He had probably the finest mind of the whole group. He has the body of a man but the mind of a child. I wish I had that type of creative mind. I’ve no idea how her mind works. She has a brilliant mind. She has lively and enquiring mind. She was in a disturbed state of mind. Their evidence might give us some insight into the criminal mind. There was no doubt in his mind that he’d get the job. When I saw the exam questions my mind just went blank. When you go to sleep it is only the conscious mind that shuts down. You don’t have to do anything about it now… just bear it in mind.Idioms
- 1to remember somebody/something synonym recall She couldn't call to mind where she had seen him before.
- 2to remind you of somebody/something synonym recall The painting brings to mind some of Picasso's early works.
- 1used to say that you think you will do something, although you are not sure I've half a mind to come with you tomorrow.
- 2used to say that you disapprove of what somebody has done and should do something about it, although you probably will not I've a good mind to write and tell your parents about it.
ability to think
if a thought, etc. is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it but it is not what you are mainly thinking about At the back of my mind was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong.
to be something that only exists in somebody’s imagination These problems are all in your mind, you know.
to remember somebody/something; to remember or consider that…
(informal) to be extremely bored, etc.
if something is etched on your memory, you remember it because it has made a strong impression on you
be in two minds about something/about doing something (British English) (North American English be of two minds about something/about doing something) jump to other results
(formal) to think very hard about or put a lot of effort into one particular thing
to have the same opinion about somebody/something
to be unable to think or behave in a normal way; to become crazy (informal) You're lending them money? You must be out of your tiny mind! Synonymsmadcrazy nuts batty out of your mind (not) in your right mindThese are all informal words that describe somebody who has a mind that does not work normally.mad (informal, especially British English) having a mind that does not work normally:I thought I’d go mad if I stayed any longer. Mad is an informal word used to suggest that somebody’s behaviour is very strange, often because of extreme emotional pressure. It is offensive if used to describe somebody suffering from a real mental illness; use mentally ill instead. Mad is not usually used in this meaning in North American English; use crazy instead.crazy (informal, ) having a mind that does not work normally:A crazy old woman rented the upstairs room. Like mad, crazy is offensive if used to describe somebody suffering from a real mental illness.nuts [not before noun] (informal) mad:That noise is driving me nuts! You guys are nuts!batty (informal, especially British English) slightly mad, in a harmless way:Her mum’s completely batty.out of your mind (informal) unable to think or behave normally, especially because of extreme shock or anxiety:She was out of her mind with grief.(not) in your right mind (informal) (not) mentally normal:No one in their right mind would choose to work there.Patterns to be mad/crazy/nuts/out of your mind/not in your right mind to do something to go mad/crazy/nuts/batty to drive somebody mad/crazy/nuts/batty/out of their mind completely mad/crazy/nuts/batty/out of your mind See related entries: Describing strange traits
to be extremely worried, etc.
(informal) to produce a very strong pleasant or shocking feeling Wait till you hear this. It'll blow your mind. see also mind-blowing
(informal) if something boggles the mind or the mind boggles at it, it is so unusual that people find it hard to imagine or accept The vastness of space really boggles the mind. ‘He says he's married to his cats!’ ‘The mind boggles!’ compare mind-boggling See related entries: Surprise
to make yourself think about something that happened in the past I want you to cast your minds back to the first time you met.
to change a decision or an opinion Nothing will make me change my mind.
an act of changing what you think about a situation, etc.
to refuse to think about something as a possibility
if something comes/springs to mind, you suddenly remember or think of it When discussing influential modern artists, three names immediately come to mind.
(of thoughts, etc.) to come into your mind synonym occur to somebody It never crossed my mind that she might lose (= I was sure that she would win).
(informal) to tell somebody that you disapprove of their behaviour or are angry with them See related entries: Anger
(informal, humorous) used to say that you and another person must both be very clever because you have had the same idea or agree about something
to be thinking of somebody/something, especially for a particular job, etc. Do you have anyone in mind for this job? Watching TV all evening wasn't exactly what I had in mind!
(formal) to intend to do something For a long time he had it in mind to write a novel about his experiences.
(informal) to have a very bad memory; to forget things easily
to have your own opinion and make your own decisions without being influenced by other people She has a mind of her own and isn't afraid to say what she thinks. (humorous) My computer seems to have a mind of its own!
to be willing to listen to or accept new ideas or suggestions
(not) mentally normal
to have very firm ideas about what you want to do
to become mentally ill
to decide something They're both beautiful—I can't make up my mind. Have you made up your minds where to go for your honeymoon? You'll never persuade him to stay—his mind's made up (= he has definitely decided to go). Come on—it's make your mind up time!
a close understanding between people with similar ideas, especially when they meet to do something or meet for the first time a meeting of minds between the two artists
the use of the power of your mind to deal with physical problems He said that keeping running in spite of the pain was just a question of mind over matter.
your imagination He pictured the scene in his mind's eye.
(law) not responsible for your actions because of a mental illness
if somebody/something is on your mind, you are thinking and worrying about them/it a lot You've been on my mind all day. Don't bother your father tonight—he's got a lot on his mind.
to become or make somebody aware of new ideas or experiences He’s eager to open the minds of his audience to different kinds of music.
(saying) used to say somebody will quickly be forgotten when they are no longer with you
(of a thought, problem, etc.) to make somebody think and worry about it all the time The thought that he could have helped more preyed on his mind.
to try to forget about something unpleasant I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind.
(old-fashioned) to make somebody think of somebody/something; to remind somebody of somebody/something
to do or say something to make somebody stop worrying about something synonym reassure
to decide you want to achieve something and give this all your attention She could have been a brilliant pianist if she'd put her mind to it.
to stop thinking about somebody/something; to deliberately forget somebody/something I just can't get her out of my mind.
if something slips your mind, you forget it or forget to do it I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It completely slipped my mind.
to say exactly what you think, in a very direct way She’s never hesitated about speaking her mind.
(of a memory, an image, etc.) to be remembered for a long time One of his paintings in particular sticks in my mind.
to make you forget about something unpleasant for a short time synonym distract Painting helped take her mind off her troubles.
in my opinion It was a ridiculous thing to do, to my mind.
a particular way of thinking about things
Check pronunciation: mind
