men·tal
Pronounced:
/ˈmɛntl̟/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
1 a : of or relating to the mind ▪ mental abilities ▪ She was worried about her son's mental and physical development. ▪ the mental state/condition of a criminal ▪ mental health b : existing or happening in the mind ▪ We had a mental image/picture of what we thought the house would look like. ▪ I've got a mental list of the things I need at the store. ▪ I'll make a mental note to see if we can reschedule the meeting. ▪ mental arithmetic [=arithmetic done in your mind without writing numbers or using a calculator]
2 always used before a noun a : relating to or affected by an illness of the mind ▪ She was beginning to show signs of mental illness. ▪ a mental disorder ▪ He suffered a mental breakdown. ▪ a mental patient b : caring for people with mental illnesses ▪ mental hospitals
3 informal : crazy ▪ She looked at me as if I had gone mental. ▪ That guy is a complete mental case. [=he is crazy]
2 always used before a noun a : relating to or affected by an illness of the mind ▪ She was beginning to show signs of mental illness. ▪ a mental disorder ▪ He suffered a mental breakdown. ▪ a mental patient b : caring for people with mental illnesses ▪ mental hospitals
3 informal : crazy ▪ She looked at me as if I had gone mental. ▪ That guy is a complete mental case. [=he is crazy]
—men·tal·ly adverb ▪ mentally ill ▪ mentally competent ▪ Mentally I'm OK, but physically I'm a wreck!