- 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 frame of mind, presence of mind
- 2
[countable] your ability to think and reason; your intelligence; the particular way that someone thinks synonym intellect to have a brilliant/good mind a creative/evil/suspicious mind She had a lively and inquiring mind. His mind is as sharp as ever. I have 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 one-track mind
- 3 [countable] a person who is very intelligent She was one of the greatest minds of her generation. synonym brain, mastermind 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). 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. Idioms
- insane
- nuts
- bananas
- out of your mind
- (not) in your right mind
- crazy (informal) used to describe someone whose mind does not work normally or whose behavior is very strange or out of control:Have you met the crazy old lady upstairs?
- insane (informal) having a mind that does not work normally:If I have to stay any longer, I'll go insane. Insane is also used as a legal term for someone who is not responsible for a crime they have committed because they were not able to know right from wrong at the time.
- nuts [not before noun] (very informal) crazy:He's driving me nuts!
- bananas (very informal) crazy:You guys are bananas!
- out of your mind (informal) unable to think or behave normally, especially because of extreme shock or anxiety:She was out of her mind just before the exam.
- (not) in your right mind (informal) (not) mentally normal:No one in their right mind would want to work there.
- to be crazy/insane/nuts/bananas/out of your mind/not in your right mind to do something
- to go crazy/insane/nuts/bananas/out of your mind
- to drive somebody crazy/insane/nuts/bananas/out of their mind
- completely/absolutely crazy/insane/nuts/bananas/out of your mind
- 1to remember someone or something synonym recall She couldn't call to mind where she had seen him before.
- 2to remind you of someone or 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 someone 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
to be something that only exists in someone's imagination These problems are all in your mind, you know.
to remember someone or something; to remember or consider that…
to be extremely bored, etc.
if something is etched on your memory, you remember it because it has made a strong impression on you
to think very hard about or put a lot of effort into one particular thing
to have the same opinion about someone or something
to be unable to decide what you think about someone or something, or whether to do something or not I was of two minds about the book (= I didn't know if I liked it or not). She's of two minds about accepting his invitation.
to be unable to think or behave in a normal way; to become crazy You're lending them money? You must be out of your mind! Thesauruscrazy
to be extremely worried, etc.
to produce a very strong pleasant or shocking feeling Wait till you hear this. It'll blow your mind. see mind-blowing
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
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 It never crossed my mind that she might lose (= I was sure that she would win).
to tell someone that you disapprove of their behavior or are angry with them
used to say that you and another person must both be very smart because you have had the same idea or agree about something
to be thinking of someone or 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!
to intend to do something For a long time he had it in mind to write a novel about his experiences.
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
if a thought, etc. is in the back of your mind, you are aware of it but it is not what you are mainly thinking about In the back of my mind was a small, warning voice, telling me it was wrong.
(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 continuing to run in spite of the pain was just a question of mind over matter.
your imagination He pictured the scene in his mind's eye.
not responsible for your actions because of a mental illness
if someone or 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 someone aware of new ideas or experiences He's eager to open the minds of his audience to different kinds of music.
used to say someone will quickly be forgotten when they are no longer with you
(of a thought, problem, etc.) to make someone 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.
to make someone think of someone or something; to remind someone of someone or something
to do or say something to make someone 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 someone or something; to deliberately forget someone or 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