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 of mentality

• 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

And Forest’s new signing believes their sibling rivalry helped both of them hone a tough mentality. — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The rooms These days, glamping usually is more of a mentality than a literal descriptor—as such, yes, there are glam tents, but there are also cabins and suites (essentially, nicer cabins). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

In New York, there’s this mentality right now that’s happening. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

His step no longer looked assured, his body appeared stiff and his warrior mentality finally breached. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1856, 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