dementia
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for dementia, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning caused by disease or damage to the brain, beyond what normal aging would cause.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
cognitive decline
dementedness
Antonyms
How to use dementia
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
early-onset dementia
symptoms of dementia
living with dementia
Etymology
From Latin dementia, from de- ("away from") plus mens ("mind") — literally "being out of one's mind".
Full origin of dementia →Frequently asked questions
What does “dementia” mean?
The word “dementia” means a progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning caused by disease or damage to the brain, beyond what normal aging would cause. In plain terms, a medical condition where memory and thinking gradually get worse, more than normal aging would explain.
How do you pronounce “dementia”?
“Dementia” is pronounced dih-MEHN-shuh (/dɪˈmɛnʃə/ in IPA).
How do you use “dementia” in a sentence?
Here is “dementia” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia in her late seventies.”
What part of speech is “dementia”?
“Dementia” is a noun.
Where does the word “dementia” come from?
The word “dementia” comes from Latin. From Latin dementia, from de- ("away from") plus mens ("mind") — literally "being out of one's mind".
Is “dementia” a common word?
“Dementia” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is a general term for a progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning caused by disease or brain damage. Alzheimer's disease is the most common specific cause of dementia, meaning Alzheimer's is one type of dementia rather than a separate condition.
Is dementia a normal part of aging?
No, dementia involves a decline in memory and thinking that goes beyond what normal aging would cause. While some memory changes are typical with age, dementia reflects an underlying disease or damage to the brain.
What are common early signs associated with dementia?
Dementia typically involves a noticeable decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning that affects daily life. Because it is progressive, symptoms tend to worsen gradually over time as the underlying brain condition advances.
