Mental
ˈmɛntl
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to the mind or intellect; concerning the processes of thinking, understanding, and reasoning.
ˈmɛntl
Relating to the mind or intellect.
He suffered from a mental illness.
💡 Simply: When something is 'mental,' it's about your thoughts, feelings, and how your brain works. Like, if you do something in your head without saying it out loud, that's mental work!
👶 For kids: Something that happens in your head, like thinking or remembering.
More Examples
She made a mental note of the appointment.
The athlete focused on mental preparation before the competition.
How It's Used
"The therapist assessed the patient's mental state."
"She took a mental break to clear her head."
Affected by or relating to a mental disorder.
ˈmɛntl
The hospital provides mental health services.
💡 Simply: If someone has a 'mental' condition, it means they might be dealing with issues related to how their mind and emotions are working.
👶 For kids: When your feelings or thoughts make you feel not so good.
More Examples
She needed to see a specialist for her mental condition.
How It's Used
"The patient required mental health support."
Idioms & expressions
mental block
A temporary inability to remember something or to think clearly.
"He had a mental block during the exam and couldn't remember the answer."
mental agility
The ability to think quickly and clearly; the ability to solve problems quickly and be adaptable
"Her mental agility allowed her to excel in the debate."
From Latin *mentalis*, meaning 'of the mind' or 'relating to the mind', derived from *mens*, meaning 'mind'. Evolved through Old French *mental*.
Used since the late 14th century, initially referring broadly to the mind and spirit.
Memory tip
Think of a mental picture – it's all in your mind!
Word Origin
"of the mind"