mental
MEHN-tuhl
Mental (adj) means relating to the mind, thinking, or intellectual activity, rather than the body. Example: “Doing sums in your head is good mental exercise before breakfast.”
adj
1
Relating to the mind, thinking, or intellectual activity, rather than the body.
"Doing sums in your head is good mental exercise before breakfast."
"Chess requires a lot of mental effort."
"She was praised for her mental toughness under pressure."
2
Relating to a psychiatric illness or condition.
"The charity offers free support to anyone with a mental illness."
"Doctors say mental conditions deserve the same care as physical ones."
"He sought help for his mental health after a difficult year."
3
(informal) Wild, crazy, or extreme, sometimes in a fun way.
"The party got completely mental once the band started playing their biggest song."
"Traffic in town was mental on Saturday, so we walked instead."
"The concert was absolutely mental — best night of the year."
How to use mental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with the mind — thinking, mood, or (informally) wild/crazy.
When to use it
The informal "crazy/wild" sense is casual British slang; calling a person "mental" to describe mental illness is dated and can be considered offensive.
Common pairings
mental health
mental note
mental block
mental strength
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Word forms
- Plural
- mentals
- Comparative
- more mental
- Superlative
- most mental
Fill the gap
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Doing sums in your head is good _____ exercise before breakfast.
Etymology
From Late Latin mentālis, from Latin mēns ("mind").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for mental
dental
rental
parental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
incidental
monumental
regimental
incremental
See all 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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