STATE OF MIND

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does state of mind mean? 

• STATE OF MIND (noun)
  The noun STATE OF MIND has 2 senses:

1. a temporary psychological state

2. the state of a person's cognitive processes

  Familiarity information: STATE OF MIND used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STATE OF MIND (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A temporary psychological state

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

frame of mind; state of mind

Hypernyms ("state of mind" is a kind of...):

temporary state (a state that continues for a limited time)

mental condition; mental state; psychological condition; psychological state ((psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "state of mind"):

case (a specific state of mind that is temporary)

thinking cap (a state in which one thinks)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The state of a person's cognitive processes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

cognitive state; state of mind

Hypernyms ("state of mind" is a kind of...):

mental condition; mental state; psychological condition; psychological state ((psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "state of mind"):

amnesia; blackout; memory loss (partial or total loss of memory)

outwardness (concern with outward things or material objects as opposed to the mind and spirit)

inwardness (preoccupation especially with one's attitudes and ethical or ideological values)

absorption; engrossment; preoccupancy; preoccupation (the mental state of being preoccupied by something)

morbidity; morbidness (an abnormally gloomy or unhealthy state of mind)

doubt; doubtfulness; dubiety; dubiousness; incertitude; uncertainty (the state of being unsure of something)

certainty (the state of being certain)

confusedness; confusion; disarray; mental confusion; muddiness (a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior)

curiosity; wonder (a state in which you want to learn more about something)

subconsciousness (a state of mind not immediately available to consciousness)

unconsciousness (a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment)

consciousness (an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation)

ivory tower (a state of mind that is discussed as if it were a place)

readiness; set ((psychology) being temporarily ready to respond in a particular way)

paramnesia ((psychiatry) a disorder of memory in which dreams or fantasies are confused with reality)

interestedness (the state of being interested)

 Context examples 

I think it is the state of mind which gives most spirit and delight.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

What a state of mind I was in!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

A change in disposition or state of mind.

(Mood Alteration, NCI Thesaurus)

Any young girl can imagine Amy's state of mind when she 'took the stage' that night, leaning on Laurie's arm.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

In this state of mind I wrote to Elizabeth.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

He had settled down into a strange and comfortable state of mind.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

But if they don't need to change their everyday behavior, and can instead try to change their state of mind by becoming more mindful, they can probably see this beneficial effect.

(Mindful Movement May Help Lower Stress, Anxiety, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Scientists have identified special types of brain cells that may allow us to simulate the decision-making processes of others, thereby reconstructing their state of mind and predicting their intentions.

(‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partners, University of Cambridge)

They betray an unfortunate state of mind: they merit severe reproof: they would seem inexcusable, but that it is the duty of man to forgive his fellow even until seventy-and-seven times.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Our experience warranted this state of mind, and we went about our work with anxiety always upon us.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)