What does "mind" mean?

1. (thoughts and consciousness) the part of a person that lets them think, feel, and imagine. 2. (opinion or intention) your opinion or what you plan to do. 3. (an intelligent person) a person who is very clever or has a specific way of thinking. 4. (to be bothered by) to feel annoyed or worried by something. 5. (to be careful) to be careful about something or pay attention to a danger. 6. (to look after) to take care of someone or something for a short time. 7. (to remember) to remember something or bring it back to your memory.

How do you use "mind"?

usually takes a gerund (-ing) or a noun phrase as an object

Is it correct to say "I don't mind to wait for you."?

No — say "I don't mind waiting for you.". The verb 'mind' is followed by the -ing form, not the infinitive with 'to'.

mind

US //ˈmaɪnd// UK //mˈaɪnd// mind

1 thoughts and consciousness (n.)
A2 Elementary Philosophy

the part of a person that lets them think, feel, and imagine.

the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, and to think and feel.

Example

I can't get that catchy song out of my mind today.

Example

The philosopher argued that the mind and the body are distinct entities, though they interact constantly throughout a person's life.
- body
2 opinion or intention (n.)
B1 Intermediate

your opinion or what you plan to do.

an individual's opinion, view, or specific intention regarding a matter.

Example

Have you changed your mind about which car you want to buy?

Example

Once the director has made up her mind, it is notoriously difficult to persuade her to consider an alternative strategy.

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3 an intelligent person (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a person who is very clever or has a specific way of thinking.

a person viewed in relation to their intellectual powers.

Example

She is one of the greatest scientific minds of our time.

Example

The conference brought together the most brilliant minds in the field of artificial intelligence to discuss ethical safeguards.
4 to be bothered by (v.)
A2 Elementary

to feel annoyed or worried by something.

to feel objection, annoyance, or discomfort regarding something; typically used in negative or interrogative sentences.

Example

Do you mind if I open the window for some fresh air?

Example

Most residents did not mind the noise of the construction during the day, provided the site remained quiet after six o'clock.

Usage

usually takes a gerund (-ing) or a noun phrase as an object
Pitfall

I don't mind to wait for you.

I don't mind waiting for you.

The verb 'mind' is followed by the -ing form, not the infinitive with 'to'.
5 to be careful (v.)
A2 Elementary

to be careful about something or pay attention to a danger.

to be careful of or pay attention to something; often used as a warning.

Example

Please mind the step as you walk into the garden.

Example

The sign warned passengers to mind the gap between the train and the platform edge to avoid injury.
- ignore
- neglect
6 to look after (v.)
B1 Intermediate British English

to take care of someone or something for a short time.

to take charge of or look after someone or something temporarily.

Example

Could you mind my bags for a moment while I buy a ticket?

Example

She earned extra money during the summer by minding her neighbour's children while their parents were at work.
7 to remember (v.)
C2 Proficiency Dialect Archaic

to remember something or bring it back to your memory.

to recall to one's memory; to remember.

Example

Do you mind the time we went to that little café in the woods?

Example

The old man could still mind the days before the village had electricity, describing the oil lamps with vivid detail.

Teacher's tip

This sense is mostly found in Scottish or Northern English dialects; modern speakers usually use 'remember'.
- remember
- recall
- forget

Idioms41 entries