mentally

Mentally is an adverb that relates to the mind or to cognitive and emotional processes. It is used to describe how a person thinks, feels, or is prepared, rather than how their body is functioning. Common phrases include mentally prepared, mentally exhausted, mentally capable, and mentally ill. The term often contrasts with physical states, as in being physically strong but mentally fatigued.

Etymology and form: Mentally derives from the adjective mental, which comes from Middle English and ultimately from Latin mens, meaning mind. The adverbial form is created by adding the standard English -ly suffix to mental.

Usage notes: In clinical and policy contexts, the related field is mental health, which focuses on psychological well-being. The phrase mentally ill has historical usage in legal and clinical settings; contemporary language often favors person-centered or condition-focused wording to reduce stigma, such as “a person with a mental health condition.” In everyday speech, mentally is commonly used to describe states of mind, resilience, or cognitive readiness, as in sports, education, and crisis response.

Related terms: Mental, mentality, cognition, and psychology are closely connected linguistic and disciplinary terms. Together, they cover the mind’s processes, states, and overall functioning, from everyday decision-making to clinical assessment and research.