noun
Uncommon
dementia
dih-MEHN-shuh
Dementia (noun) means a progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning caused by disease or damage to the brain, beyond what normal aging would cause. Example: “Her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia in her late seventies.”
noun
1
A progressive decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning caused by disease or damage to the brain, beyond what normal aging would cause.
"In recent years some clinical trials involving potential dementia drugs have had disappointing setbacks."
— Jürgen Götz, Why it’s so hard to treat dementia (2018)
"Her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia in her late seventies."
"Dementia can affect memory, language, and judgement over time."
"Carers at the home are trained to support residents living with dementia."
How to use dementia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA medical condition where memory and thinking gradually get worse, more than normal aging would explain.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
early-onset dementia
symptoms of dementia
living with dementia
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Word forms
- Plural
- dementias, dementiae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her grandmother was diagnosed with _____ in her late seventies.
Etymology
From Latin dementia, from de- ("away from") plus mens ("mind") — literally "being out of one's mind".
Synonyms
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cognitive decline
dementedness
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dementia
See all rhymes for 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.
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