ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mantra

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈmæntɹə// UK //mˈɑːntɹɐ// mantra

n. a word or phrase that you repeat often because it expresses your beliefs or helps you stay focused.

n. a frequently repeated word, formula, or phrase that encapsulates a core belief or guiding principle. In its original religious context, it refers to a sacred utterance or sound used in meditation.


SIMPLE

Her daily mantra is 'stay positive and keep working'.

CONTEXTUAL

The company adopted the mantra of 'customer first' to guide every decision made by the management team.

COMPLEX

While the political mantra of fiscal responsibility resonated with voters, the actual implementation of the policy proved far more complex than the slogan suggested.

Origin

Borrowed from Sanskrit मन्त्र (mantra), from Proto-Indo-Iranian mántras, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European men- (“to think”). Related to mind.

Usage

Often used metaphorically in business or self-help contexts to describe a slogan or guiding motto.

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