state of mind

[steyt uhv mahynd]

idiom

1. a person’s mental or emotional condition, especially at a given point in time.

   Subtle touches like scratched-out mistakes and underlined words can give us insight into the author’s state of mind while she was writing.

   The state of mind or mental stability of the defendant also needs to be taken into consideration.

2. a general outlook on life, the world, the future, etc..

   Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind.

   Marriage is a state of mind and a way of life.

Word History and Origins

Origin of state of mind¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

Odell says the music is the "truest reflection" of his state of mind between January and October last year.

From BBC

Army and Montana National Guard, and officials warn that his training and state of mind make him “armed and extremely dangerous.”

From Salon

The name refers to an elevated state of mind, expressed through creamy top notes of coconut with jasmine petals, incense and a woody base.

From Los Angeles Times

We don't know their condition, their state of mind, or even with certainty that they are alive.

From BBC

The album drop also comes on the back of fans' worries for Bieber's state of mind.

From BBC

Related Words

• disposition 
• mindset 
• mood 
• temperament