mindset

or mind-set

[ mahynd-set ]

noun

1. a fixed attitude, disposition, or mood:

   His conservative mindset sometimes causes him to miss out on important opportunities.

   Her judgmental mindset has cost her a number of friendships.

2. an intention or inclination:

   I'm not sure what her mindset will be when you ask her about her plans.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mindset¹

First recorded in 1905–10; mind ( def ) + set ( def )

Example Sentences

The steady mindset got Dobbins through years of arduous rehab.

From Los Angeles Times

"But I also have a mindset of possibilities, and faith in ourselves, that we can rise and achieve great things in our lifetime."

From BBC

One participant, an engineer, said: "I just see a puzzle and I'm motivated to solve it. So, it's affected, I guess, my mindset in that way, such that I look at things as solvable…"

From Science Daily

In a sport where players operate as sole traders for the majority of the year, switching from a mindset of pursuing individual glory to achieving a common goal can be tricky.

From BBC

“Our whole mindset is just, ‘secure the ball.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attitude
• demeanor
• ethos
• frame of mind
• inclination
• mental state
• mentality
• mood
• perspective
• philosophy
• point of view
• sentiment
• temperament