mind
mind
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "mind" is /maɪnd/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
m /m/: A bilabial nasal consonant. This is the sound made by closing your lips and letting air escape through your nose.
aɪ /aɪ/: A diphthong. This sound starts like the vowel in "price" and glides towards the vowel in "face".
n /n/: An alveolar nasal consonant. This is the sound made by placing the tip of your tongue on the alveolar ridge (the bumpy part behind your upper teeth) and letting air escape through your nose.
d /d/: An alveolar plosive consonant. This is the sound made by placing the tip of your tongue on the alveolar ridge and then releasing a burst of air.
Word Form Variations
Noun:
mind (singular): This is the base form, referring to the faculty of thought, feeling, and consciousness. Example: "I have peace of mind."
minds (plural): Refers to multiple instances of minds or to the collective mental capacity of a group. Example: "Great minds think alike."
Verb:
mind (present tense, singular): Used with "he," "she," "it." Example: "He minds his own business." Also used as an imperative. Example: "Mind the gap!"
minding (present participle/gerund): Describes the action of paying attention to or taking care of something. Example: "She is minding the children." Also functions as a noun (gerund). Example: "Minding the store is hard work."
minded (past tense/past participle): Indicates a past action of paying attention to or being inclined to something. Example: "I minded my manners." Also used as an adjective: Example: "He is open-minded."
mind (present tense, plural): Used with "I," "you," "we," "they." Example: "We mind what you say."
It's important to note that "mind" doesn't have a standard adjective or adverb form derived directly from it in common usage. We use related words like "mental," "mindful," "mindlessly," etc. to express those concepts.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: The faculty of consciousness, thought, perception, and feeling, encompassing intellect, will, and memory. Example: "The human mind is capable of incredible feats."
Synonyms: intellect, consciousness, psyche, soul, spirit, understanding, reason, thought, brain (often used metaphorically)
Antonyms: body (in a mind-body dualism context), physical being, insentience, unconsciousness
Definition 2: Mental disposition or inclination. Example: "He has a positive mind."
Synonyms: attitude, outlook, disposition, temperament, mentality, approach, perspective
Antonyms: negativity, pessimism, cynicism, closed-mindedness
Definition 3: Memory or recollection. Example: "It slipped my mind."
Synonyms: remembrance, recollection, memory, recall
Antonyms: forgetfulness, amnesia, oblivion
Verb:
Definition 1: To pay attention to or be concerned about. Example: "Mind the step!"
Synonyms: heed, attend to, watch out for, be careful of, take care of, notice, observe
Antonyms: disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, be inattentive to
Definition 2: To object to or be bothered by. Example: "Do you mind if I open the window?"
Synonyms: care about, object to, be bothered by, disapprove of, resent
Antonyms: approve of, welcome, encourage, be pleased by, not object to
Definition 3: To take care of or look after. Example: "She minded the children while their parents were out."
Synonyms: care for, look after, watch over, tend to, supervise, protect
Antonyms: neglect, abandon, ignore, mistreat
Adjective:
Definition: (Used in compound adjectives) Having a specified type of mind or mental disposition. Example: "He is open-minded." (Note: "minded" itself isn't typically used alone as a standalone adjective in common English.)
Synonyms (for open-minded): receptive, tolerant, unbiased, unprejudiced, broad-minded
Antonyms (for open-minded): closed-minded, prejudiced, intolerant, narrow-minded
Adverb:
"Mind" is not typically used as an adverb. To express adverbial concepts, we often use related words like "mindfully," "mindlessly," or phrases like "with a mindful approach."
Examples of Use
Noun:
Book: "The mind is everything. What you think you become." (Buddha, widely quoted, origin uncertain) This quote, though its exact origin is debated, appears in countless books on philosophy, self-help, and spirituality, illustrating the enduring concept of the mind's power.
Newspaper (Online Article): "Scientists Explore the Mysteries of the Aging Mind" (Example headline, reflecting numerous articles on this topic). News outlets regularly report on research related to cognitive function, neurological diseases, and mental health.
Entertainment (Movie): "A Beautiful Mind" (2001 film). The title itself uses "mind" to represent the complex mental state of the protagonist.
General Public Discourse: "I can't get it off my mind." This common phrase illustrates the everyday use of "mind" to express preoccupation or persistent thought.
Online Publication (Psychology Website): "The Importance of Mindfulness for Mental Wellbeing" (Example article title). Websites dedicated to psychology and mental health often feature "mind" in their content, reflecting the focus on mental processes and states.
Verb:
Book (Fiction): "Mind your manners," she said sharply. (Common phrase used in dialogue to depict a character's instruction or reprimand).
Newspaper (Quote): "I don't mind the rain," he commented. (Example of "mind" used to express indifference or acceptance).
Entertainment (Song Lyric): "Mind the gap, the future's coming fast" (Example lyric, perhaps using "mind" metaphorically for awareness or attention).
General Public Discourse: "Do you mind if I sit here?" (Polite phrase demonstrating the use of "mind" for seeking permission).
Online Publication (Travel Blog): "Mind the crowds during peak season." (Example use to provide a warning or advice to readers).
Adjective (in compound forms):
Book (Non-fiction): "The Open-Minded Leader" (Example book title focusing on a leadership style).
Newspaper (Review): "A thought-provoking and open-minded approach to the subject." (Example use in a book or film review).
Entertainment (Documentary): "Exploring the minds of creative geniuses." (Example title focusing on the mental processes of artists, scientists, etc.)
General Public Discourse: "He's very narrow-minded." (Common expression used to describe someone with limited perspectives).
Online Publication (Opinion Piece): "We need more open-minded dialogue on this issue." (Example use in an article advocating for tolerance and understanding).
10 Famous Quotes Using Mind
"The mind is everything. What you think you become." — Buddha
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste." — United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant." — Albert Einstein
"Change your thoughts and you change your world — everything begins in the mind." — Norman Vincent Peale
"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven." — John Milton, Paradise Lost*
"The heart has its reasons which reason does not know — but the mind still tries to explain." — Blaise Pascal
"A man’s mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions." — Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
"Nothing can harm you as much as your own thoughts unguarded — protect your mind." — Gautama Buddha
"Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water." — Bruce Lee
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." — Plutarch
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "mind" in a way that's easy to grasp.
The word "mind" has a long history, stretching back to Proto-Germanic, the ancestor of many Germanic languages, including English. The Proto-Germanic word was mindiz, and it carried the general idea of "memory" or "thought."
This mindiz then evolved into gemynd in Old English. This Old English word had a broader meaning than just "memory." It encompassed the whole complex of mental faculties: memory, thought, intellect, feeling, will, and even intention. So, it was already a rich and multifaceted word even back then.
The first known written use of "mind" in English texts (in its Old English form, of course) goes back centuries. It's difficult to pinpoint the very first instance, as Old English texts are fragmented and sometimes undated. However, we find gemynd used in early writings, like those from the Anglo-Saxon period (roughly 5th to 11th centuries AD), in contexts that show its range of meanings related to intellect and memory. For example, it might appear in religious texts, philosophical discussions, or even in legal documents where someone's "mind" or intention was relevant.
Over time, the spelling changed a bit (from gemynd to the modern "mind"), but the core meanings stayed remarkably consistent. It's always been about that inner world of thoughts, feelings, and consciousness. So, when you say "mind" today, you're echoing a word that has been used for over a thousand years to capture the essence of what it means to be human and have a conscious inner life.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mind
Common Phrases and Idioms:
Mind your own business: A polite (or sometimes not-so-polite) way of telling someone to stop interfering in other people's affairs.
Change your mind: To alter your opinion or decision.
Make up your mind: To decide.
Have something on your mind: To be preoccupied or worried about something.
Keep something in mind: To remember something important.
Bear (something) in mind: Similar to "keep something in mind," to remember or consider something.
Slip your mind: To forget something.
Out of your mind: Crazy or foolish.
Of sound mind: Mentally competent.
To mind (something): To take care of or look after something. Also, to object to something. "Do you mind if I open the window?" (meaning, do you object?).
Mind the gap: A warning, often heard on public transportation, to be careful of the space between the train and the platform.
Mind-blowing: Extremely impressive, surprising, or exciting.
Peace of mind: A feeling of calmness and tranquility.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste: An expression emphasizing the importance of education and intellectual development.
Great minds think alike: A saying used when two or more people have the same idea.
To give someone a piece of your mind: To express your anger or disapproval to someone.
Less Common or More Figurative Phrases:
Rack your brains (to try to remember something): While not using "mind" directly, this is a common idiom for mental effort.
Cross my mind: To occur to someone.
Put your mind at ease: To relieve someone's worries.
Read someone's mind: To know what someone is thinking without them telling you.
The mind boggles: Something that is difficult to comprehend.
A meeting of minds: An agreement or understanding between people.
Absence of mind: Forgetfulness or inattentiveness.
Why there aren't more idioms directly with "mind":
While "mind" itself appears in many phrases, it's less common for it to be the focus of a highly idiomatic expression. Often, the idioms use verbs related to mental processes (like "think," "remember," "know," "believe," etc.) or other parts of the body metaphorically associated with thought (like "head" or "brain"). "Mind" is already a rather abstract word, so it's frequently used in more literal ways, while the colorful, figurative language tends to cluster around more concrete terms.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of mind from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
