noun

mindfulness

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Mindfulness (noun) means the practice of paying deliberate, non-judgemental attention to the present moment, including your breath, body and thoughts, often as a way of reducing stress. Example: “Ten minutes of mindfulness each morning has helped her anxiety.”

noun

The practice of paying deliberate, non-judgemental attention to the present moment, including your breath, body and thoughts, often as a way of reducing stress.

"Ten minutes of mindfulness each morning has helped her anxiety."

"The clinic offers a mindfulness course for chronic pain."

The mental state of being fully aware of what is happening now rather than lost in worry about the past or future.

"He ate slowly, with unusual mindfulness."

In Buddhist teaching, sati: the faculty of clear, sustained awareness cultivated as part of the path to insight.

"Mindfulness is the seventh factor of the Noble Eightfold Path."

How to use mindfulness

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPaying calm attention to what is happening right now, without judging it.

When to use it

Neutral and widespread in health, education and workplace contexts; occasionally used dismissively when it feels like corporate wellbeing jargon.

Memory tip

The adjective is mindful, and it also has an older everyday sense of "careful of", as in "mindful of the cost".

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

meditation → mindedness awareness →

Common pairings

practise mindfulness mindfulness meditation mindfulness-based stress reduction

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

Ten minutes of _____ each morning has helped her anxiety.

Etymology

From mindful plus -ness. The modern psychological sense translates Pali sati, 'awareness, recollection', from Buddhist teaching.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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present-moment awareness meditation attentiveness awareness presence heedfulness

Antonyms

distraction absent-mindedness unmindfulness

Related words

care front attention knowledge understanding presence listening existence

Rhymes for mindfulness

usefulness faithfulness forgetfulness resourcefulness

See all rhymes for mindfulness →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation?

Meditation is a formal practice you sit down to do; mindfulness is the quality of attention it trains, which you can bring to anything, including washing up or walking. Mindfulness meditation is one type of meditation among many.

How do you practise mindfulness?

Choose something to anchor your attention, usually the breath or physical sensations, notice when your mind wanders, and return to the anchor without criticising yourself. A few minutes a day is enough to start.

Does mindfulness actually work?

Structured programmes such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy have reasonable evidence for reducing stress and preventing relapse in recurrent depression. It is not a substitute for treatment of serious mental illness.

What is the meaning of mindfulness?

"mindfulness" (noun) means the practice of paying deliberate, non-judgemental attention to the present moment, including your breath, body and thoughts, often as a way of reducing stress.

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care front attention knowledge understanding presence listening existence