mentally
gb/mˈɛntəli/ us/mˈɛntəli/
B1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
In relation to the mind
In a way that is about the mind or thinking.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] mentally
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mentally' with 'psychologically', but 'mentally' is more general and common in everyday speech.
Synonyms
cognitively (More formal and technical, often used in academic or scientific contexts.)
Antonyms
physically (Refers to the body rather than the mind.)
Collocations
mentally prepared
|mentally strong
|mentally ill
|mentally exhausted
Themes
psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was mentally prepared for the challenge.
- I try to stay mentally active by reading every day.
- Mentally, he was already planning his next move.
- The job is mentally demanding.
- He felt mentally drained after the long meeting.
Learner examples
- I am mentally ready for the test.
- She is mentally strong.
- He was mentally tired.
- We must be mentally prepared.
- He works hard to stay mentally healthy.
adverb
B1
property
2
In terms of mental health
In a way that is about how healthy the mind is.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'mentally' alone when 'mentally ill' or another qualifier is needed to be clear about health issues.
Synonyms
psychologically (Slightly more formal; often used in professional or academic contexts.)
Antonyms
emotionally (Focuses on feelings rather than general mental health.)
Collocations
mentally ill
|mentally unstable
|mentally fit
Themes
health
|psychology
Examples
- He has been declared mentally fit to stand trial.
- She is mentally ill and needs treatment.
- The experience left him mentally scarred.
- They work with mentally disabled children.
Learner examples
- The man is mentally ill.
- She is mentally healthy.
- He is mentally strong after the illness.
- They help people who are mentally sick.
adverb
informal
B2
property
3
Only in one's mind
Only in your head, not in real life.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this sense with 'psychologically', which relates more to emotional or mental health than just thinking or imagining.
Synonyms
inwardly (Focuses on internal feelings or thoughts not expressed outwardly.)
Antonyms
physically (Implies actual physical action instead of just thinking.)
Collocations
mentally picture
|mentally calculate
|mentally note
Themes
thinking
|imagination
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I was mentally calculating the bill.
- She mentally pictured her childhood home.
- He made a note of it mentally.
- Mentally, I had already quit the job.
Learner examples
- I can mentally see the picture.
- She can mentally count the money.
- He can mentally plan the day.
- I can mentally hear the song.
Grammar
Expressions
mentally check off
1/mˈɛntəli t͡ʃˈɛk ˈɔf/
fixed phrase
Mark as done in your mind
To think that something is finished without writing it down or saying it out loud.
Examples
- I mentally checked off each task as I went along.
- She mentally checked off the names on the list.
mentally exhausted
1/mˈɛntəli ɪɡzˈɔstɪd/
fixed phrase
Extremely tired in the mind
Feeling very tired in your mind because of work, stress, or thinking too much.
Examples
- After hours of studying, I was mentally exhausted.
- She felt mentally exhausted after the long meeting.
mentally ill
1/mˈɛntəli ˈɪl/
fixed phrase
Having a mental disorder
Having a problem with the mind that makes life hard or changes behavior.
Examples
- He was diagnosed as mentally ill.
- They provide care for mentally ill patients.
mentally prepare yourself
1/mˈɛntəli pɹipˈɛɹ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Get ready in your mind
To get your mind ready for something difficult or important that will happen.
Examples
- You need to mentally prepare yourself for the exam.
- She mentally prepared herself before giving the speech.
mentally strong
1/mˈɛntəli stɹˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
Having great mental strength
Able to keep going and stay positive even when things are hard.
Examples
- Athletes need to be mentally strong to win games.
- She stayed mentally strong through all her challenges.