mentally ill

adjective

1. having a mental illness.

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the mentally ill mentally ill persons collectively.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mentally ill¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Kilmeade railed against public spending on homeless and mentally ill individuals who decline help or reject services.

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The subplot of Lola trying to find her biological family is cut off when her brother reveals himself to be inconveniently mentally ill.

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After her arrest, acquaintances said Moore was very concerned that people would assume she was mentally ill.

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Many online commentators pointed out that Kilmeade’s comments evoked the extermination of mentally ill and disabled people that was authorized by Adolf Hitler in 1939.

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An earlier investigation into the facility revealed that officers had made “sport” of tormenting mentally ill inmates, including forcing inmates into a specially rigged, scalding hot shower as punishment for unruly behavior.

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