Mind Meaning

UK /maɪnd/
US /maɪnd/
Word Definition
mind meaning

Mind Definition & Usage

noun

The cognitive faculties of a person, such as reasoning, perception, memory, and decision-making.

Examples

  • "He has a brilliant mind for solving complex problems."
  • "Her mind is always racing with new ideas."
  • "I can't concentrate; my mind is elsewhere."
  • "His mind was focused on the task at hand."
  • "After the long day, my mind was completely exhausted."
noun

A person's attention, thoughts, or mental focus.

Examples

  • "She had the mind to help him with the project."
  • "I don’t mind helping you move tomorrow."
  • "He put his mind to work and completed the task in no time."
  • "It’s been on my mind lately whether I should change jobs."
  • "I can't get that idea out of my mind."
verb

To pay attention to or to be concerned with something or someone.

Examples

  • "Do you mind if I sit here?"
  • "Mind the gap between the train and the platform."
  • "She minded her younger brother while their parents were out."
  • "I don’t mind working late if it helps the project."
  • "He minded his business and avoided gossip."
verb

To avoid or be cautious about something, often for safety or well-being.

Examples

  • "Mind the stairs as you go down."
  • "You should mind your step on these slippery roads."
  • "I need to mind my health more carefully."
  • "He was told to mind his language at the meeting."
  • "Mind your tone when speaking to the boss."

Cultural Context

'Mind' has evolved through Old English, where it was primarily used to refer to memory and consciousness. Over time, its meaning expanded to encompass attention, care, and mental focus. It is a versatile word, frequently appearing in both formal and informal contexts.

A Moment of Clarity

Story

A Moment of Clarity

On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, Sarah sat in her small apartment, staring out the window as the raindrops blurred the view of the bustling city below. Her mind wandered to the past—the choices she had made, the relationships she'd let slip away, and the opportunities she'd let pass her by. It had been a hard year, and now, with her life at a crossroads, her mind seemed to race in a thousand directions at once. 'I need to focus,' she thought, rubbing her temples. But it was easier said than done. Her mind was preoccupied with everything—her upcoming move, her uncertain job prospects, her unresolved feelings toward her ex. Every time she tried to concentrate on the task at hand, her mind would veer off into some distant thought. Her phone buzzed. It was a message from John, a friend she'd made at her last job. 'Do you mind if I drop by? I could use a distraction.' Sarah smiled at the text. She didn't mind the company; in fact, the idea of some companionship was exactly what she needed right now. As she typed her reply, 'Sure, come on over,' she reminded herself that she needed to mind her priorities. She could put off the big decisions for a while. For now, she would focus on the present. When John arrived, the conversation quickly shifted to lighthearted topics—anything to avoid the heavy thoughts that had been clouding Sarah's mind. 'How’s the new place?' John asked, looking around. Sarah shrugged. 'It’s alright, just a little... lonely.' As the evening wore on, Sarah found that just letting her mind wander in the company of a good friend brought a sense of clarity she hadn't felt in weeks. Perhaps the mind didn’t need to be controlled all the time; sometimes, a little space to breathe was exactly what it needed. Eventually, John left, and Sarah sat back in her chair, her mind finally at peace. The rain had stopped, and the world outside seemed a little more manageable. She realized that sometimes, to truly mind something, you had to let go of the need to control every thought.

A Moment of Clarity