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 of mental

Adjective (1)

• internal
• inner
• psychological
• interior

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

The physical and mental effort that Bellingham has put himself through at this tournament is not normal. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The piece is over before the mental picture really develops, which only compels me to start it over again. — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026

New parents should expect to answer several questions from their providers to get a sense of their mental well-being. — Isabel Lopez, Parents, 14 July 2026

Supportive family relationships, good mental well-being, access to quality health care and strong social connections also help extend healthspan. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

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

Rhymes for mental

• dental
• ental
• gentle
• lentil
• rental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental

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