mentality

noun

men·​tal·​i·​ty men-ˈta-lə-tē 

plural mentalities

1

: mental power or capacity : intelligence

2

: mode or way of thought : outlook

the imperialist mentality of the nineteenth century

—John Davies

Synonyms

• sense
• intelligence
• intellect
• reason

Examples of mentality in a Sentence

most teenagers do not have the mentality to foresee the consequences of such risky behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

Shifting from a customer evaluation to a customer learning focus requires a new mindset, especially from leaders with a clipboard and stopwatch mentality. —Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

His mentality of the game is different because of how much he’s played and how much he’s been around the game and how much he’s seen. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

Denzel Washington has adopted a post-Oscars mentality after spending decades in the Hollywood machine. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025

That’s the best mentality to go into — going with the flow. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mentality

• bunker mentality
• herd mentality
• siege mentality
• victim mentality

Rhymes for mentality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality

Kids Definition

mentality

noun

men·​tal·​i·​ty men-ˈtal-ət-ē 

plural mentalities

1

: mental power : intelligence

2

: a particular way of thinking : outlook

Medical Definition

mentality

noun

men·​tal·​i·​ty men-ˈtal-ət-ē 

plural mentalities

1

: mental power or capacity

2

: mode or way of thought