mind over matter

noun

The application of willpower or mental effort to overcome a physical problem.

“I'll untie this knot one way or another. It's just a question of mind over matter.”

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounmind over matter (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe application of willpower or mental effort to overcome a physical problem.

    I'll untie this knot one way or another. It's just a question of mind over matter.

    1 more example

    Mind over matter is magic, I do magic / If you think about it, it'll be over in no time

    2016, “White Ferrari”, in Blonde, performed by Frank Ocean
  2. uncountableTelekinesis.
    1 more example

    Geller's "mind over matter" abilities were what really excited the crowds. A bent spoon or key, apparently done without applying any substantial force (just a light stroking of the metal so that it would weaken or "melt" to the point that in some cases it would break), appeared to be "objective" evidence of that which was impossible by any normal standards.

    2016, J. Douglas Kenyon, Lost Powers: Reclaiming Our Inner Connection
Cite this entry
APA

mind over matter. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mind%20over%20matter

MLA

“mind over matter.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mind%20over%20matter. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mind over matter,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mind%20over%20matter.

Source: mind over matter on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.