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

Tanking is a loser’s mentality, and feeds into a losing culture. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

That combination—veteran experience and newcomer mentality—may be the key to understanding the current moment. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The fact the Golden Cougars have kept winning after the graduation of All-City quarterback Diego Montes shows how Cassidy has built the next-up mentality. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Trying to install your own grit mentality with a roster full of transfers, which is common now in college football, has not produced results in Boulder. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 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