mind-reader: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to mediumInformal, figurative; occasionally used in paranormal/entertainment contexts.
Quick answer
What does “mind-reader” mean?
Someone who claims to be able to know or discern another person's thoughts without any verbal or physical communication.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Someone who claims to be able to know or discern another person's thoughts without any verbal or physical communication.
Informally, a person who is exceptionally perceptive or intuitive about others' unspoken thoughts, feelings, or intentions; a figurative ability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Hyphenation slightly more common in US.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties: skepticism in literal sense, admiration in figurative use.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “mind-reader” in a Sentence
to be a mind-readerto think (that) someone is a mind-readerto claim to be a mind-readerto play (the) mind-readerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mind-reader” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Don't try to mind-read; just ask her what she's thinking.
- He's always mind-reading his boss's intentions.
American English
- Stop mind-reading and just communicate.
- She accused him of trying to mind-read her motivations.
adverb
British English
- He answered mind-readerly. (extremely rare/non-standard)
- She predicted it almost mind-readerly. (non-standard)
American English
- He guessed mind-readerly correctly. (non-standard)
- She knew, mind-readerly, what I wanted. (non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He has a disturbing mind-reader quality about him. (rare)
- She made a mind-reader guess. (rare)
American English
- It was a mind-reader moment. (rare)
- He gave a mind-reader performance as a psychic. (rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. If so, in figurative criticism: 'The client expects us to be mind-readers.'
Academic
Almost exclusively in psychology/parapsychology discussions of purported abilities.
Everyday
Common in figurative, often humorous, exasperation: 'How should I know? I'm not a mind-reader!'
Technical
Parapsychology: a subject claiming telepathic ability.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mind-reader”
- Misspelling as 'mindreader' or 'mind reader' is common but generally accepted. Incorrect use: 'He is mind-reading me' (verb derived, but very informal).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is commonly hyphenated ('mind-reader'), but the open form ('mind reader') is also widely accepted. The closed form ('mindreader') is less common.
Informally, yes. The verb 'to mind-read' (often hyphenated) means to try to guess someone's thoughts, usually without asking. It is informal and often used critically ('Don't mind-read, just ask').
A mind-reader claims to know current, hidden thoughts. A fortune-teller claims to predict future events. Their methods and claimed abilities are different, though the terms are sometimes conflated in popular entertainment.
Not inherently. When used literally to describe someone's claimed profession, it is neutral, though it may carry skepticism. When used figuratively ('I'm not a mind-reader!'), it expresses frustration but is not generally offensive.
Someone who claims to be able to know or discern another person's thoughts without any verbal or physical communication.
Mind-reader is usually informal, figurative; occasionally used in paranormal/entertainment contexts. in register.
Mind-reader: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪnd ˌriː.dər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪnd ˌriː.dɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “You'd need to be a mind-reader to know that!”
- “I'm not a mind-reader, you know!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person READING a book titled "Your MIND".
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A TEXT / THOUGHTS ARE READABLE OBJECTS
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'mind-reader' used in its most common figurative sense?