What does mind mean?
“Mind” is a central English word for the human capacity to think, remember, understand, feel, and form intentions. As a noun, it can refer to someone’s intellect, sanity, consciousness, or a particular plan or opinion, as in “I have a mind to go.” As a verb, it commonly means to attend to or consider something carefully, as in “keep in mind,” and it can also mean to care about or be bothered by something, as in “I don’t mind the noise.” The phrase “have a mind to” specifically expresses an intention. Although “mind” is usually neutral, it can acquire a more thoughtful or intellectual tone in phrases such as “a brilliant mind,” while expressions like “out of your mind” are more colloquial and emotionally charged. The word is useful because it links mental activity, personal intention, attention, and emotional reaction within one versatile term.
The capacity of a person to think, understand, feel, remember, and make judgments; also, a person’s intellect or mental state.
"Learning a new language exercises both the mind and the memory."
When used to mean a person’s intellect, “mind” is often complimentary: “one of the sharpest minds in the field.”
To pay attention to or consider; to be bothered by; or to intend to do something.
"I mind the delay, but I understand why it is necessary."
In the sense “be bothered,” the verb is often used in questions and polite replies: “Would you mind opening the window?”
The plural is used for individual people or intellectual perspectives: “brilliant minds,” “changing their minds,” and “great minds.”
"The lecture brought together some of the country’s leading scientific minds."
The word “mind” can mean the thought process itself, a particular intention, or the person responsible for thinking—a remarkably flexible word for the most human of organs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mind come from?
The English word descends from Old English gemynd, which referred to the mind or thought and developed into modern “mind” through changes in meaning and form. The word belongs to a Germanic family of terms connected with thought and intention, and it is also associated with Latin mens, meaning “mind,” which underlies cognates such as mental, remind, and reminder. The modern sense of paying attention or caring about something developed alongside the older noun meanings.
Related word forms
How mind is actually used
The noun is formal but widely used and can sound thoughtful or intellectual, as in “a brilliant mind,” while “mind” in expressions such as “out of your mind” may be informal or emotionally heightened. The verb “mind” meaning “be bothered” is especially common in polite requests and responses, such as “Do you mind if I sit here?”
Easily confused with mind
“Mind” refers to thinking, consciousness, or attention, whereas “mine” can mean something belonging to the speaker or a device used to excavate minerals.