mental
/ˈmen.təl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Relating to the mind, thoughts, or feelings. It describes anything connected with how a person thinks or feels, rather than the body.
- She needs mental rest after exams.
- Mental health is important at every age.
- He has strong mental focus.
Adinary Nuance
Mental is the broad word for things connected with the mind. It is more general than psychological, which often sounds more clinical or academic. It is also different from intellectual, which focuses on thinking ability and knowledge, not feelings or state of mind.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thuộc tinh thần
- Spanish
- mental
- Chinese
- 心理的
- Japanese
- 精神の
- Korean
- 정신의
Etymology
Mental comes from Latin mentalis, from mens meaning 'mind'. It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
mental healthmental illnessmental statemental strength
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is mental the same as psychological?
- Not exactly. Mental is broader and more everyday. Psychological is often more formal and used in study or medicine.
- Can I say mental health in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is a common and correct phrase in formal writing and speaking.
- Does mental only mean 'in the mind'?
- Yes, mainly. It refers to thoughts, feelings, and the state of the mind.
- Is mental a positive or negative word?
- It is neutral. The meaning depends on the phrase, like mental health or mental illness.