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mental

/ˈmɛntəl/

When used to describe the mind (like "mental health"), the word is neutral and standard in all contexts. In British English, using "mental" to mean "crazy" or "wild" is very common as a slang term. Be careful using this meaning in formal settings, as it can be seen as insensitive or overly casual. Avoid using "mental" as a noun; it is almost always used as an adjective to describe a person, state, or process.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon during a board meeting, Victoria texting Sterling from across the table.
Mr. Sterling

I'm thinking of banning all chairs to foster a more fluid spiritual energy.

Mr. Sterling
Victoria
Victoria

That is absolutely mental. Please don't.

💡
Victoria uses 'mental' in its informal British sense, meaning 'crazy' or 'insane', to react to Mr. Sterling's eccentric and impractical management idea.

Meanings

adjective

Relating to the mind or intellectual process.

"Mental arithmetic is a useful skill for daily life."

adjective

Suffering from a mental illness; unstable.

"He was struggling with his mental health after the accident."

adjective

Informal: Wild, crazy, or extremely excited.

"The crowd went absolutely mental when the band finally took the stage."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error