mindblower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 / InformalInformal, colloquial, slang.
Quick answer
What does “mindblower” mean?
A person, thing, or event that causes profound astonishment, shock, or revelation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, thing, or event that causes profound astonishment, shock, or revelation.
An experience or piece of information that is so surprising, impressive, or intellectually stimulating that it metaphorically 'blows one's mind'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: The one-word form 'mindblower' is more common, but the hyphenated 'mind-blower' is also found. The split compound 'mind blower' is rarer. No significant semantic difference.
Connotations
Equally informal and emphatic in both varieties. Slightly dated in formal contexts but still used in casual speech and writing.
Frequency
Comparable informal frequency in both dialects. More common in spoken language, media, and online discourse than in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “mindblower” in a Sentence
Be a [mindblower]find something a [mindblower]That was a [mindblower]!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mindblower” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- That concept really blows my mind.
- Wait until you hear this—it'll blow your mind.
American English
- Her latest theory totally blows my mind.
- The special effects in that movie blew my mind.
adverb
British English
- The plot twisted mind-blowingly in the final act.
- He plays the guitar mind-blowingly well.
American English
- The graphics are mind-blowingly realistic.
- She's mind-blowingly talented.
adjective
British English
- The documentary offered some mind-blowing insights.
- It was a truly mind-blowing experience.
American English
- The stats are mind-blowing.
- We had a mind-blowing time at the concert.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used in very informal pitches: 'Our new market data is a real mindblower.'
Academic
Very rare. Considered non-academic vocabulary.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation to express amazement: 'The finale of that series was a complete mindblower.'
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mindblower”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mindblower”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mindblower”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Misspelling as 'mindblowwer' or 'mindblowher'.
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'to blow one's mind').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as one word ('mindblower') or with a hyphen ('mind-blower'). The two-word form 'mind blower' is less standard.
Yes. Primarily it denotes positive awe ('The concert was a mindblower'), but it can also describe shocking, potentially negative revelations ('The corruption scandal was a mindblower').
An 'eye-opener' is something revealing that makes you aware of a truth, often for the first time. A 'mindblower' is more intense, suggesting something that overwhelms or profoundly reorders your understanding, not just informs it.
It is strictly informal, colloquial, or slang. It is unsuitable for formal essays, reports, or academic writing.
A person, thing, or event that causes profound astonishment, shock, or revelation.
Mindblower: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪndˌbləʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪndˌbloʊər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blow your mind”
- “mind-blowing”
- “knock your socks off (less direct)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a strong gust of wind (blowing) inside your head (mind) that rearranges your thoughts – that's a MIND-BLOWER.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A CONTAINER / UNDERSTANDING IS GRASPING. An extreme idea/event is a force that explodes/blows apart the container.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'mindblower' be LEAST appropriate?