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to mind

to mind

271 2.1
To pay careful attention to something
  • verb
  • /maɪnd/
translation icon : tener cuidado con
  • Please mind the gap between the train and the platform.

You're spending too much time minding the wrong gap, you feel me?

Examples

  • In the Middle East context, this brings to mind the case of Iraq's annexation of Kuwait in 1990.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Would you mind if I had a look around, sir?

  • Oh, I mind that very much.

  • Mind if I come in a little closer, Mr. Carter?

  • "I think I have this figured out." "You mind filling us in?"

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I hope you don't mind.

  • I'll wait with you if you don't mind, just in case I'm needed.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Thinking about Darwin, I immediately call to mind a line from his Autobiography.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Such questions about text types and form-content-context relations call to mind notions of genre.

    Academic text (2013)
  • One can readily call to mind other useful insights of the tradition when evaluating globalization.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

to see
vsto mind
1.0

To understand what something means

is more about attention plus an active cautious attitude
to listen
vsto mind
1.0

Pay attention to advice or warnings and act on them

is similar but also stresses caution and heedfulness
to notice
vsto mind
1.0

To see or become aware of something

adds a stronger sense of caution or heed beyond noticing
to watch
vsto mind
1.0

To be careful and pay attention to possible danger

is the verbal act of attending closely while also heeding risks
to pay attention
vsto mind
1.6

To focus on someone or something and notice carefully

adds a warning sense of being careful about potential danger
to observe
vsto mind
619 2.4

To watch something carefully to learn about it

is closer to caution and following warnings rather than only observing
to keep an eye on
vsto mind
  • Informal
408 2.4

To watch someone or something carefully to make sure nothing bad happens

is broader, also covering careful attention for safety
to note
vsto mind
318 1.8

To notice something carefully

is focused more on being cautious and following warnings
to keep in mind
vsto mind
240 3.0

To remember something when making decisions or thinking about it

is more immediate, involving careful attention and caution now
to take care
vsto mind
168 1.8

To be careful to avoid danger

adds paying close, intentional attention to warnings or signs
to look out
vsto mind
153 1.6

Watch for danger or trouble

keeps the same idea but also implies attentive heed
to beware
vsto mind
136 4.1

Be careful and watch for danger

is similar but also covers careful attention to advice and warnings
to keep an eye out
vsto mind
  • Informal
134 3.2

Watch carefully for someone or something

adds the idea of being careful as well as watching closely
97 3.8

Watch carefully for danger or a chance

is a broader term for careful attention and cautious behaviour
to heed
vsto mind
92 5.0

Pay careful attention to advice or warnings

is broader, adding general caution as well as close attention
to mark
vsto mind
91 3.3

Notice something and pay attention to it

adds the extra idea of cautious attention to potential risks
to take note
vsto mind
69 3.4

Pay attention to something to remember or think about it

is oriented more to precaution and acting on warnings
to take notice
vsto mind
42 3.5

To see and pay attention to something

is more about careful caution and heeding advice or danger
to stay alert
vsto mind
28 3.4

To watch carefully so you notice danger or changes

is similar but also explicitly includes heeding warnings or advice
to keep one's eyes peeled
vsto mind
  • Informal
16 4.6

Watch carefully for something important or dangerous

is the verbal habit of careful attention plus caution
to take heed
vsto mind
  • Formal
11 6.2

Pay careful attention to advice or warnings

includes both listening closely and acting with caution
8 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

adds a general warning or cautious stance beyond mere monitoring
to keep one's ears open
vsto mind
  • Informal
4 3.7

Stay alert to hear useful news or information

covers hearing closely but also includes being cautious generally
to pay heed
vsto mind
  • Formal
2 4.5

To listen carefully to advice or warnings

also emphasises being cautious, not only attending closely
to mind how
vsto mind
  • UK
2 6.6

Be careful about how you act or speak

is broader and covers close attention and general caution
to keep an eye peeled
vsto mind
  • Informal
1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

is the general habit of close attention and cautiousness
to give heed
vsto mind
1 6.4

To pay careful attention to what someone says or does

adds a stronger idea of being cautious as well as noticing

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

Idioms

928 1.2

To think about as a plan or choice

275 3.4

You keep thinking about something and cannot stop

224 2.7

Telling someone not to worry and to forget what you said

51 3.7

Stay out of other people's private matters and focus on your own

50 6.2

To surprise someone a lot and make them feel excited

mind you
  • Informal
44 6.9

Adds a short extra point or contrast after a statement

35 5.8

Tell someone not to ask about or get involved in other people's lives

21 3.5

Say what you think openly

Thinking clearly and acting sensibly

14 7.3

To be unable to think clearly because you are very worried or upset

To focus all your attention and effort on achieving something

To think for yourself and make your own decisions

of sound mind
  • Formal
9 6.5

Able to think clearly and make decisions

Thinking and acting in a sensible, normal way

6 6.0

Something a person is not thinking about or worrying about right now

half a mind
  • Informal
5 7.5

A feeling of wanting to do something but not being sure

4 6.1

Feeling very uninterested and restless because nothing holds your attention

3 4.7

The thing someone thinks about most right now

To be sure about what you want and act on it

1 7.2

Be careful not to use rude or hurtful words

1 6.7

Become very anxious, confused, or upset and act in a way that does not make sense

1 8.6

Be careful about how you behave and what you say to be polite

1 9.0

Not able to think or decide clearly about important legal matters

1 9.4

A very long time in the past that no one remembers

The main thing you are thinking about now

A feeling of confusion that makes it hard to think clearly

Tell someone angrily that you are upset with them

Thinking and acting in a sensible, normal way

never you mind
  • Informal
8.9

Tell someone not to worry about something

Thinking about something a lot and feeling worried

Tell someone angrily that you are unhappy with them

time out of mind
  • Literature
8.8

For a very long time that people cannot remember

4.4

Forget to do something you planned to do

Thinking about what God would want when making a decision

Phrasal Verbs

Decide to think or act differently from before

240 3.0

To remember something when making decisions or thinking about it

224 3.2

To think of a certain person, thing, or idea

120 3.0

To suddenly think of something or remember it

Decide after thinking about the choices

to read mind
  • Informal
69 7.7

To know what another person is thinking without them saying it

Remember something when you decide or think about it

to slip my mind
  • Informal
24 3.4

To forget something you planned to do by accident

to read my mind
  • Informal
23 6.0

To know what someone is thinking without them saying it

Make someone think differently about something

To come quickly into your head without trying

To look after a shop or small business while the owner is away

Think about something that happened in the past to remember it

2 6.6

Be careful about how you act or speak

To stop worrying and think calmly to focus

To clear your head after feeling tired or distracted

To make someone feel worried for a long time

To make someone remember a person or thing

To be willing to think about new ideas and different views

To help someone think more clearly and quickly

To remain in someone's memory

Compounds

99 3.4

A person's mood or feeling at a particular time

64 3.0

A calm feeling with no worry

mind-blowing
  • Informal
28 5.1

So surprising and impressive that it changes how you feel or think

27 3.7

The mood a person has at a certain time

16 6.3

A person who seems to know what other people are thinking, often using tricks or guessing

15 7.2

A trick people use to confuse or control someone to gain an advantage

mind-numbing
  • Informal
14 6.5

So boring that you stop paying attention

Part of your mind that works without you noticing and shapes thoughts and actions

presence of mind
  • Informal
9 4.6

Ability to stay calm and act quickly in a dangerous situation

8 7.0

Makes a person think or feel differently

one-track mind
  • Informal
5 6.2

A way of thinking that focuses on one thing and ignores others

5 3.8

A quick, clear way of thinking that helps solve problems

unconscious mind
  • Specialized
4 4.1

Thoughts and feelings you are not aware of that affect your actions

A decision to take back a previous choice or opinion

3 4.8

A drug that changes how a person thinks, feels, or sees things

2 4.9

A game or puzzle that makes you think and use your brain

mind meld
  • Informal
2 7.9

A very close natural connection between two people that helps them understand each other's thoughts

mind-blower
  • Informal
1 7.4

A thing that is very surprising and amazes you

An idea you think about before others

mind reader
  • Texting
1 7.4

A computer program that predicts what a person wants or will do from their data

1 8.3

To make you feel more aware and see things differently

Something that makes a worried person feel calm

mind bleach
  • Slang
9.8

Something that helps you forget a bad memory or picture

Being well in your mind and body

Jedi mind trick
  • Informal
8.7

A clever, hidden way to persuade someone by making them think or feel differently

woke mind virus
  • Offensive
9.9

An insulting phrase for strong social justice ideas seen as spreading online and changing people's views

How Attentive

to supervise
189 3.5
to monitor
627 3.5
to watch
1.0
to heed
92 5.0
to mind
271 2.1
to notice
1.0
to glance at
150 2.0

Surface Forms

mind infinitive
minded past
minded past participle
minding present participle
minds third person singular

Etymology

The verb mind comes from an old English word gemynd meaning 'memory' or 'notice', with the idea of keeping something in your thoughts. So to 'mind' what someone says is to pay attention and follow it.