never mind
idiomatic phrase
1
—used to tell someone not to be concerned about or give attention to something or someone
Never mind your mistake: it wasn't serious.
So you made a little mistake! Never mind (about that): it wasn't serious.
'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' said I. 'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 'I should be able to look after that for you.'—
Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan DoyleHe would tell Blossom that she might go back to her aunt and never mind about him—he would do very well by himself and he did not blame her in the least.—Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery2
—used to say that something previously mentioned or asked can be disregarded
Do you know where my keys are? Oh, never mind. Here they are.
3
—used to refer to something that is even less likely or possible than something else being mentioned or described
I can barely understand it, never mind explain it.
With this knee I can hardly walk, never mind run.
Never mind mastering a second language or a subject syllabus, most us have enough difficulty remembering the orders for a round of drinks at the pub.—David Robson
David RobsonExamples of never mind in a Sentence
I have a hard enough time getting out of bed before sunrise, never mind getting to work so early.
Recent Examples on the Web
Too many guys would be too worried about keeping their scholarships, never mind their snaps.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
And never mind that there is an actual anti-fascist movement, not only in Europe, but one that’s existed in the United States.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
His decision to pair low-energy Harris English with Collin Morikawa was a disaster Friday morning, never mind his decision to send them back out there Saturday despite Data Golf’s analytics that said English-Morikawa was the 132nd best American foursomes team — out of 132 options.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Patrick doesn’t waste time insulting Ellen about her relationship with Edward, never mind that, as Ellen points out, Edward’s the reason Patrick’s a free man.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for never mind
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Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
And never mind that there is an actual anti-fascist movement, not only in Europe, but one that’s existed in the United States.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
His decision to pair low-energy Harris English with Collin Morikawa was a disaster Friday morning, never mind his decision to send them back out there Saturday despite Data Golf’s analytics that said English-Morikawa was the 132nd best American foursomes team — out of 132 options.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Patrick doesn’t waste time insulting Ellen about her relationship with Edward, never mind that, as Ellen points out, Edward’s the reason Patrick’s a free man.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for never mind
Cite this Entry
“Never mind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/never%20mind. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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