Word
Definitions
01mindset or attitude
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the typical way that a person or group thinks, which influences their behavior.
n. a characteristic mental attitude or way of thinking that determines how an individual or group interprets and responds to situations.
“To succeed in this difficult job, you need to have a very positive mentality.”
“The coach worked hard to instill a winning mentality in the players, emphasizing resilience and collective responsibility over individual glory.”
Synonyms
02mental capacity
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Academic · Technical
n. the power of the mind or the way the human mind works as a system.
n. the nature or operation of the mind as a complex system of biological and cultural processes.
“Scientists are still studying the complex mentality of dolphins and how they communicate.”
“The research paper explores the evolution of human mentality, specifically how linguistic structures shaped early cognitive development.”
Usage
Often used in academic contexts to discuss the mind as a functional system rather than just a personal attitude.
Real-World Examples
“Dionisi praised the attitude of his team – “I liked the mentality of my players, in every moment I saw one team working together,” he said.” “If you want to come to Sunderland and play the way you want to, then you need the right mentality.” Etymology
From mental + -ity. Doublet of mentalité.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
01. crab mentality
02. elbow mentality
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/mentality
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0