mental
Mental (adj) means relating to the mind, thinking, or intellectual activity, rather than the body. Example: “Chess requires a lot of mental effort.”
How to use mental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with the mind — thinking, mood, or (informally) wild/crazy.
The informal "crazy/wild" sense is casual British slang; calling a person "mental" to describe mental illness is dated and can be considered offensive.
Word forms
more mental comparative, mentals plural, mentals plural, most mental superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Chess requires a lot of _____ effort.
Etymology
From Late Latin mentālis, from Latin mēns ("mind").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mental
Frequently asked questions
What does “mental” mean?
The word “mental” means relating to the mind, thinking, or intellectual activity, rather than the body. In plain terms, to do with the mind — thinking, mood, or (informally) wild/crazy.
How do you pronounce “mental”?
“Mental” is pronounced MEHN-tuhl (/ˈmɛn.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mental” in a sentence?
Here is “mental” used in a sentence: “Chess requires a lot of mental effort.”
What part of speech is “mental”?
“Mental” is an adjective.
Where does the word “mental” come from?
The word “mental” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin mentālis, from Latin mēns ("mind").
Is “mental” a common word?
“Mental” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mental” have?
“Mental” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the mind, thinking, or intellectual activity, rather than the body.
What is the difference between mental and physical?
Mental relates to the mind — thinking, memory, reasoning, and emotion. Physical relates to the body — muscles, movement, and health you can see or touch. Mental effort is thinking hard; physical effort is bodily exertion. The two are linked, since the state of the mind and body affect each other.
What is the difference between mental and emotional?
Mental usually refers to thinking and reasoning — the intellectual side of the mind. Emotional refers to feelings, such as joy, fear, or sadness. The two overlap, which is why 'mental health' covers both thoughts and emotions, but strictly speaking mental leans toward cognition and emotional toward how we feel.
What does mental health mean?
Mental health describes the condition of a person's mind and emotions — how they think, feel, cope with stress, and relate to others. Good mental health helps people function and enjoy life; poor mental health can make everyday tasks harder. Like physical health, it can change and be cared for.
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