mentally

Imagine a chess player planning the next move before touching a piece. They are doing it mentally, meaning in their mind rather than in a physical way. "Mentally" describes something that happens in your thoughts, feelings, or state of mind. You might be mentally preparing for a big presentation by going over your words in your head before you step onstage. Or someone may feel mentally exhausted after a long day of solving hard problems. It is often used to contrast with something physical: "I was physically fine, but mentally drained."

The word "mentally" relates to the mind, thought, or emotional state. It describes things that happen in your thoughts, feelings, and awareness: the inner side of what you experience. Unlike physically, which refers to the body and things you can directly see or touch, mentally focuses on what happens inside.

You might say someone is "mentally strong," meaning they stay steady and deal with challenges well. Or you could describe a task as "mentally demanding," meaning it takes a lot of focus and thought. It is also often used when talking about health, such as being mentally unwell or taking care of your mental health.

"Mentally" also suggests an inner process that may not show on the outside. You can mentally rehearse a speech by practicing it in your head, mentally add up the cost of groceries while shopping, or mentally prepare yourself for difficult news. It is about what you are thinking and feeling inside, even if other people cannot see it.

In general, whenever something is happening in the world of thought, feeling, or awareness, "mentally" is the right word to use. It points to the quiet but important work the mind does every day.