mind
verb/maɪnd/
/maɪnd/
Verb Forms
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| present simple I / you / we / they mind | /maɪnd/ /maɪnd/ |
| he / she / it minds | /maɪndz/ /maɪndz/ |
| past simple minded | /ˈmaɪndɪd/ /ˈmaɪndɪd/ |
| past participle minded | /ˈmaɪndɪd/ /ˈmaɪndɪd/ |
| -ing form minding | /ˈmaɪndɪŋ/ /ˈmaɪndɪŋ/ |
- [transitive, intransitive] (used especially in questions or with negatives; not used in the passive) to be upset, annoyed or worried by something
- mind (something) I don't mind the cold—it's the rain I don't like.
- I hope you don't mind the noise.
- He wouldn't have minded so much if she'd told him the truth.
- mind about something Did she mind about not getting the job?
- mind doing something Did she mind not getting the job?
- mind somebody/something doing something Do your parents mind you leaving home?
- (formal) Do your parents mind your leaving home?
- mind how, what, etc… She never minded how hot it was.
- mind that… He minded that he hadn't been asked.
Extra Examples- His parents didn't seem to mind that he dropped out of college.
- I didn't mind about the money.
- I don't mind at all telling people my age.
- I hope you don't mind the noise.
- I wouldn't have minded so much if you hadn't lied about it.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- terribly
- very much
- not a bit
- …
- not seem to
- about
Want to learn more?
Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
- [intransitive, transitive] used to ask for permission to do something, or to ask somebody in a polite way to do something
- Do you mind if I open the window?
- mind somebody doing something Are you married, if you don't mind me asking?
- (formal) Are you married, if you don't mind my asking?
- mind doing something Would you mind explaining that again, please?
- Do you mind driving? I'm feeling pretty tired.
- Would you mind terribly if I went on my own?
Express Yourself Asking for helpAsking for helpIf you need help, people are more likely to react favourably if you ask politely:- Could you possibly help me?
- I wonder if you could give me a hand?
- Would you mind opening the door for me?
- I wonder if you'd mind taking a picture of us?
- Could I ask you to keep an eye on my luggage for a moment?
- Yes, of course.
- I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry.
- Sure.
Express Yourself Asking for permission/a favourAsking for permission/a favourYou are more likely to get what you want if you can ask for it politely. Here are some ways of asking whether you may do something:- Would you mind if I opened the window?
- Could I possibly borrow your phone?
- I hate to ask, but could I please borrow your phone?
- Do you happen to have a spare pen I could borrow?
- Would it be all right if I left five minutes early?
- Is there any chance that we could stay at your house the night before our flight?
- Would it be OK to leave my bag here?
- Yes, of course.
- Go ahead.
- That's fine.
- I'd rather you didn't, if you don't mind.
- I'd prefer it if you asked somebody else.
- If there's someone else you can ask, I'd be grateful.
- not mind[intransitive, transitive, no passive] to not care or not be concerned about something
- ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ ‘I don't mind—either's fine.’
- mind somebody Don't mind her—she didn't mean what she said.
- Don't mind me (= don't let me disturb you)—I'll just sit here quietly.
Extra Examples- Nobody really minded much about what happened to them.
- No, I don't mind a bit.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- terribly
- very much
- not a bit
- …
- not seem to
- about
- not mind doing something[transitive] to be willing to do something
- I don't mind helping if you can't find anyone else.
- They had thought the boys wouldn't mind sharing; as it turned out, they minded bitterly.
More Like This Verbs usually followed by -ing formsVerbs usually followed by -ing formsOxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- terribly
- very much
- not a bit
- …
- not seem to
- about
- (British English) (also watch North American English, British English)[transitive] used to tell somebody to be careful about something or warn them about a danger
- mind something Mind (= Don't fall on) that step!
- Mind your head! (= for example, be careful you don't hit it on a low ceiling)
- Mind your language! (= don't speak in a rude or offensive way)
- mind how, where, etc… Mind how you go! (= often used when you say goodbye to somebody)
- Mind where you're treading!
- mind (that)… Mind you don't cut yourself—that knife's very sharp.
- You must be home for dinner, mind.
- [transitive] mind somebody (North American English, Irish English) to pay attention to what somebody says, and obey them
- And the moral of the story is: always mind your mother!
- (especially British English) (North American English usually watch)[transitive] mind somebody/something to take care of somebody/something synonym look after somebody/something/yourself
- Who's minding the children this evening?
- Could you mind my bags for a moment?
be upset/annoyed
asking permission
not care/worry
be willing
warning
obey
take care of
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’.
Idioms
See mind in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee mind in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishdo you mind?
- (ironic) used to show that you are annoyed about something that somebody has just said or done
- Do you mind? I was here before you.
I don’t mind admitting, telling you…, etc.
- used to emphasize what you are saying, especially when you are talking about something that may be embarrassing for you
- I was scared, I don't mind telling you!
I don’t mind if I do
- (informal) used to say politely that you would like something you have been offered
- ‘Cup of tea, Brian?’ ‘I don't mind if I do.’
if you don’t mind | if you wouldn’t mind
- used to check that somebody does not object to something you want to do, or to ask somebody politely to do something
- I'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.
- Can you read that form carefully, if you wouldn't mind, and then sign it.
- (often ironic) used to show that you object to something that somebody has said or done
- I give the orders around here, if you don't mind.
- used to refuse an offer politely
- ‘Will you come with us tonight?’ ‘I won't, if you don't mind—I've got a lot of work to do.’
if you don’t mind me/my saying so…
- used when you are going to criticize somebody or say something that might upset them
- That colour doesn't really suit you, if you don't mind my saying so.
I wouldn’t mind something/doing something
- used to say politely that you would very much like something/to do something
- I wouldn't mind a cup of coffee, if it's no trouble.
- I wouldn't mind having his money!
mind/watch your language
- to be careful about what you say in order not to upset or offend somebody
- Watch your language, young man!
- The referee told the players to mind their language.
mind your own business
- (informal) to think about your own affairs and not ask questions about or try to get involved in other people’s lives
- ‘What are you reading?’ ‘Mind your own business!’
- I was just sitting there, minding my own business, when a man started shouting at me.
mind your Ps and Qs
- (informal) to behave in the most polite way you can
mind the shop (British English)
(North American English mind the store)
- to be in charge of something for a short time while somebody is away
- Who's minding the shop while the boss is abroad?
mind/watch your step
- to walk carefully
- to behave in a careful and sensible way
- You’d better watch your step with him if you don’t want trouble.
mind you
- (informal) used to add something to what you have just said, especially something that makes it less strong
- I've heard they're getting divorced. Mind you, I'm not surprised—they were always arguing.
never mind
- (especially British English) used to tell somebody not to worry or be upset
- Have you broken it? Never mind, we can buy another one.
- used to suggest that something is not important
- This isn't where I intended to take you—but never mind, it's just as good.
- used to emphasize that what is true about the first thing you have said is even more true about the second synonym let alone
- I never thought she'd win once, never mind twice!
never mind (about) (doing) something
- used to tell somebody they shouldn’t think about something or do something because it is not as important as something else, or because you will do it
- Never mind your car—what about the damage to my fence?
- Never mind washing the dishes—I'll do them later.
never mind the fact that
- used to say that one thing is a surprising contrast to another
- The big house is a status symbol—never mind the fact that most of the rooms will be empty.
never you mind
- (informal) used to tell somebody not to ask about something because you are not going to tell them
- ‘Who told you about it?’ ‘Never you mind!’
- Never you mind how I found out—it's true, isn't it?
Check pronunciation:
mind