English Reference

Word

mind

US/ˈmaɪnd/

UK/mˈaɪnd/

Definitions

01thoughts and consciousness

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Philosophy

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

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

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

“The philosopher argued that the mind and the body are distinct entities, though they interact constantly throughout a person's life.”

Antonyms

02opinion or intention

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. your opinion or what you plan to do.

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

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

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

03an intelligent person

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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

n. a person viewed in relation to their intellectual powers.

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

“The conference brought together the most brilliant minds in the field of artificial intelligence to discuss ethical safeguards.”

04to be bothered by

A2 · Elementary

v. to feel annoyed or worried by something.

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

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

“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'.

05to be careful

A2 · Elementary

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

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

“Please mind the step as you walk into the garden.”

“The sign warned passengers to mind the gap between the train and the platform edge to avoid injury.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

06to look after

B1 · Intermediate British English

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

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

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

“She earned extra money during the summer by minding her neighbour's children while their parents were at work.”

Synonyms

07to remember

C2 · Proficiency Dialect · Archaic

v. to remember something or bring it back to your memory.

v. to recall to one's memory; to remember.

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

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

Teaching tip

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

Synonyms

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “mind” in context.

01. human mind 02. mind homogeneous

Word family

INTERJECTION

Related words

Idioms

Grammar

Domain

Philosophy

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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