Mentalist: meaning, definitions and examples

A performer who uses psychological techniques and observation to create the illusion of having extraordinary mental powers.

• The mentalist amazed the audience by guessing the number everyone was thinking of.
• She hired a mentalist for her birthday party to entertain the guests.

Someone who is thought to have the ability to read other people's thoughts; often used in a more literal or informal sense.

• Stop acting like a mind reader and just tell me what you want.
• He claims to be a mind reader, but I think he's just very perceptive.

A person who claims to have supernatural abilities to foresee the future or communicate with spirits.

• She went to see a psychic to learn about her future.
• The psychic said I would come into some money soon.

A magician who performs tricks and illusions to entertain an audience.

• The illusionist made the statue disappear right before our eyes.
• My favorite part of the show was when the illusionist escaped from the locked box.

This term can sometimes be used in a derogatory way referring to someone perceived as being obsessed with mental aspects or theories, often without scientific backing.

• His colleagues dismissively called him a mentalist because of his unconventional ideas.

Typically used in academic or scientific contexts, focusing on the study of human cognition and understanding mental functions like learning, memory, and perception.

• The cognitivist explained the process of how children learn languages.
• Recent research by cognitivists has shed light on how the brain processes information.

Used in academic or philosophical discussions to describe someone who develops or analyzes theories about the nature of the mind and mental functions.

• The mind theorist published a new model explaining consciousness.
• Mind theorists debate various hypotheses about the nature of thought.

Used in academic or professional environments to describe someone who supports or promotes the study or consideration of mental processes.

• As a mental processes advocate, she pushes for more funding for psychological research.
• The conference brought together mental processes advocates from around the world.