Mentality
/menˈtælɪti/
Definitions
A characteristic or habitual way of thinking or feeling; a state of mind.
/menˈtælɪti/
A person's habitual way of thinking; their mindset.
Her positive mentality helped her overcome many obstacles.
💡 Simply: It's like how someone usually thinks and feels, their 'mindset'. Like, if someone always expects the worst, they have a negative mentality.
👶 For kids: It's like how you usually think and feel. Like, if you always try your best, you have a 'try-hard' mentality!
More Examples
The team's defensive mentality led them to victory.
The company's mentality is focused on innovation.
How It's Used
"Researchers often study the mentality of different groups to understand their behavior."
"The team's winning mentality was evident in their aggressive play."
"Companies need to foster a growth mentality to remain competitive."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
siege mentality
A way of thinking in which a person or group feels under attack or threatened from the outside.
"After the scandal, the company developed a siege mentality, distrusting everyone."
victim mentality
A pattern of thinking or behavior in which a person or group sees themselves as being constantly victimized by others, often refusing to accept responsibility for their actions.
"The employee's victim mentality made it difficult to work with him."
From Latin *mēns* (mind) + suffix -*tāl* + -*ity*. The word developed in the 19th century, reflecting the increasing interest in psychology and the study of the mind.
The word 'mentality' began to appear with greater frequency in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting a growing focus on understanding the psychological aspects of human behavior and societal attitudes. It was often used in discussions of cultural differences, social attitudes, and the character of nations or groups.
Memory tip
Think of 'mental' - it's the way your mind is set.
Word Origin
"From Latin *mēns* (mind) + suffix -*tāl* + -*ity*. The root refers to the mind or thinking."