mentally ill

American  

adjective

1. having a mental illness.

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noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Usually the mentally ill mentally ill persons collectively.

Etymology

Origin of mentally ill

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

For the most part, husbands left wives, even physically or mentally ill wives, to run the home and raise the children as they saw fit.

From Literature

“The Housemaid” would be enjoyable enough had Seyfried only been giving a layered performance as a mentally ill housewife.

From Salon

“We know the central premise behind mental health diversion is that if we obtain mental health treatment for those that are mentally ill that are committing crimes, the public will be safer,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

And silence, experts say, can foster a deep, unhealthy relationship between a caring parent and a mentally ill child.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1811, Saxony’s king converted it into a model asylum for the mentally ill, and for many years it was.

From The Wall Street Journal