mental
gb/mˈɛntəl/ us/mˈɛntəl/
B1
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Related to the mind
About the mind, thoughts, or how someone thinks.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has [mental] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mental' with 'psychic', which refers to supernatural abilities rather than the mind.
Synonyms
psychological (More formal and often used in academic or clinical contexts.)
Antonyms
physical (Refers to the body rather than the mind.)
Collocations
mental health
|mental illness
|mental state
|mental capacity
|mental effort
Themes
psychology
|health
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has been under a lot of mental stress lately.
- The test measures your mental ability to solve problems.
- Good mental health is just as important as physical health.
- He needs a break for his mental well-being.
- The puzzle was a real mental challenge.
Learner examples
- I need a rest for my mental health.
- My job takes a lot of mental energy.
- He has strong mental skills.
- This game is good for mental exercise.
adjective
informal
B2
property
2
Crazy or wild behavior
Informal: acting very strange or crazy.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is [mental]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this informal sense with the neutral 'relating to the mind' meaning. Context usually makes it clear.
Synonyms
crazy (General informal term for strange or extreme behavior.)
Antonyms
sane (Having normal and reasonable thinking.)
Collocations
go mental
|completely mental
Themes
slang
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He went mental when he saw the mess.
- That party last night was absolutely mental!
- You must be mental to jump off that cliff.
- She’s going mental over the exam results.
- It was mental in the stadium after the winning goal.
Learner examples
- He went mental when he lost the game.
- The show was mental with so many people dancing.
- You are mental if you try that.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
Relating to mental disorders
About problems or sicknesses of the mind.
Usage pattern:
[mental] [condition/illness/disorder]
Synonyms
psychiatric (More formal and clinical term used in medicine.)
Antonyms
neurological (Relating specifically to the nervous system rather than psychological function.)
Collocations
mental disorder
|mental illness
|mental hospital
Themes
health
|psychology
Examples
- The clinic specializes in treating mental disorders.
- He was admitted to a mental hospital for evaluation.
- Depression is a common mental illness.
- She works in a facility for people with severe mental conditions.
- Mental health services are available in the community.
Learner examples
- Depression is a mental illness.
- She works at a mental hospital.
- He needs help for his mental problem.
Grammar
Expressions
go mental
1/ɡˈoʊ mˈɛntəl/
idiom
informal
Become very angry/excited suddenly
To suddenly get very angry or very excited.
Examples
- The fans went mental when the team scored.
- She’ll go mental if she sees this mess.
mental block
1/mˈɛntəl blˈɑk/
fixed phrase
Temporary inability to think clearly
When you cannot think or remember something for a short time.
Examples
- I had a mental block during the exam and forgot everything.
- He's experiencing a mental block with his writing.
mental note
1/mˈɛntəl nˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
Remember something without writing it down
To decide to remember something in your head for later use.
Examples
- She made a mental note to call her mother after work.
- I’ll make a mental note of your birthday.
mental health
1/mˈɛntəl hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
State of mind well-being
How healthy and well someone's mind is.
Examples
- Exercise can improve your mental health.
- Regular exercise can improve your mental health.
- He took time off work for his mental health.
- Good relationships are important for mental health.