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

While conviction requires a certain mentality, there's a biological component that often goes overlooked. —Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Everybody’s got their grind mentality in Memphis. —Caché McClay, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Despite this mentality, Doval hasn’t kept opponents from scoring often enough this season. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026

That’s the kind of mentality Boise State’s edge rushing group for the 2026 season should expect. —Shaun Goodwin june 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 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