mindset

noun

mind·​set ˈmīn(d)-ˌset 

variants or less commonly mind-set

plural mindsets also mind-sets

1

: a mental attitude or inclination

politicians trying to determine the mindset of voters

It isn't only the freshness of the fruit that makes breakfast in California restaurants outstanding. It's an attitude, a morning mindset, a desire to start the day in a leisurely, luxurious manner.

—Jane and Michael Stern

2

: a fixed state of mind

His mind-set does not allow for new situations.

The German military thought they were being honorable, and this wasn't an excuse—this was their complete mindset.

—William Vollman

Examples of mindset in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From my point of view, this great competition puts me in a mindset to be at my very best level as much as possible. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026

At the exact moment mutual favor became the most valuable currency in a career, a scarcity mindset is pushing people to hoard it rather than share it. — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Hailey put that mindset into action through California’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school students to take college courses as early as their freshman year and earn up to 11 credits per semester. — Ronnie Li, USA Today, 10 July 2026

That mindset extends to how the group talks about its place in a conversation about Asian pop still dominated internationally by K-pop. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mindset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Medical Definition

mindset

noun

mind·​set

variants also mind-set

ˈmīn(d)-ˌset 

: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit