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⇱ MENTAL Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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Synonyms of mental
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.β€”πŸ‘ Image
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 β€¦β€”πŸ‘ Image
Nevil Shute
β€”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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The agreement is an acknowledgement that the defense could prove by a preponderance of the evidence that severe mental disease or defect caused McGuire not to comprehend that his conduct in the killing was wrong. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026 The 75-bed center will provide treatment, counseling and other services designed to rehabilitate minor offenders whose mental problems are contributing to them repeatedly ending up in police custody. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026 Decades of evidence showing the critical role of social connection for both mental and physical health reinforce the point. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 16 June 2026 The mental stimulation, not unlike jigsawing a puzzle or inking a crossword. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mental

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Late Latin mentalis, from Latin ment-, mens mind β€” more at mind

Adjective (2)

Latin mentum "chin" + -al entry 1 β€” 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mental was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing mental

Rhymes for mental

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œMental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

mental

adjective
men·​tal
ˈment-ᡊl
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
-ᡊl-Δ“
adverb

Medical Definition

mental

1 of 2 adjective
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

mental

2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to the chin : genial

More from Merriam-Webster on mental

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