mental

1 of 2

adjective (1)

men·​tal ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

a

: of or relating to the mind

specifically : of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality

mental health

b

: of or relating to intellectual as contrasted with emotional activity

mental acuity

c

: of, relating to, or being intellectual as contrasted with overt physical activity

made quick mental calculations

d

: occurring or experienced in the mind : inner

mental anguish

a mental breakdown

e

: relating to the mind, its activity, or its products as an object of study : ideological

mental science

f

: relating to spirit or idea as opposed to matter

… the distinction between physical things and mental ideas

—John W. Yolton

2

a(1)

often offensive : of, relating to, or affected by a psychiatric disorder

a mental patient

(2)

sometimes offensive : mentally unsound : mad, crazy

… was going a bit mental from old age …

—Nevil Shute

—not used technically

b

sometimes offensive : intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders

mental hospitals

3

: of or relating to telepathic or mind-reading powers

mental telepathy

mental

2 of 2

adjective (2)

: of or relating to the chin : genial

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• cerebral
• inner
• intellectual
• interior
• internal
• psychological
• psychologic

Examples of mental in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

a funny mental image made him laugh out loud

humane treatment of mental patients

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Williamson said earlier this week that his hamstring is completely healed, but his mental state remains a work in progress. —oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2023

Sign up That Torrance pushed Vial and Eduardo to such mental anguish does not surprise immigrant-justice advocates. —María Inés Taracena, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023

Regular meditation, for example, is a tool that has been proven repeatedly by research to increase time spent in the present moment and limit the rumination that brings mental anguish. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023

Your work/life balance could leave a lot to be desired, and remaining so unbalanced won't be good for your mental state in the long run. —Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Late Latin mentalis, from Latin ment-, mens mind — more at mind

Adjective (2)

Latin mentum "chin" + -al entry 1 — more at mouth entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective (2)

circa 1727, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mental

• make a mental note
• mental age
• mental case
• mental deficiency
• mental disease
• mental disorder
• mental faculties
• mental health
• mental health day
• mental illness
• mental retardation

Kids Definition

mental

adjective

men·​tal

ˈment-ᵊl

1

a

: of or relating to the mind

mental powers

mental health

b

: carried on in the mind

mental arithmetic

c

: occurring or experienced in the mind

mental anguish

a mental breakdown

2

sometimes offensive : intended for the care of persons affected by mental illnesses

mental hospitals

mentally

-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

mental

1 of 2 adjective

men·​tal ˈment-ᵊl 

1

a

: of or relating to the mind

specifically : of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality

b

: of or relating to intellectual as contrasted with emotional activity

2

a

often offensive : of, relating to, or affected by a psychiatric disorder

a mental patient

b

sometimes offensive : intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders

mental hospitals

mentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

mental

2 of 2 adjective

: of or relating to the chin : genial