Synonyms

compos mentis

American

[kohm-pohs men-tis, kom-puhs men-tis] / ˈkoʊm poʊs ˈmɛn tɪs, ˈkɒm pəs ˈmɛn tɪs /

adjective

Latin.

sane; mentally sound (used especially in a legal context).

compos mentis British

/ ˈkɒmpəs ˈmɛntɪs /

adjective

(postpositive) of sound mind; sane

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of compos mentis

Literally, “being in full possession of one's mind”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During the lecture, Joan told the students that she was "still compos mentis enough" to make use of the help that is available.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

Each of these stories was, in some measure, autobiographical, and each a reassurance that, despite my worrying, I was still compos mentis.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 29, 2019

Don compos mentis: Of very stable genius mind.

From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2018

Terry asked me way back when he was still alive and still very much compos mentis.

From The Guardian • May 26, 2016

If anyone proposes another match race between these two super horses,” wrote a reporter after the race, “henceforth, he will be tried in the morning for treason, mutiny, mopery and non compos mentis.'''’

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023