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

• 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

Smith said the team’s recent growth stems from a program-first, selfless mentality and players fully buying in. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025

Those who know him say his mentality sets him apart. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

Some of us sitting there as spectators absorb that mentality. —Ed Lavandera, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025

But Grumman said that the Verve team’s mentality is not built around booking their clients into every possible job for the maximum payday. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1691, 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