mental retardation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (declining rapidly)Medical/clinical (historical), offensive (contemporary)
Quick answer
What does “mental retardation” mean?
A condition characterized by significantly below-average intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior that originates before age 18.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A condition characterized by significantly below-average intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior that originates before age 18.
Historically used as a clinical term for intellectual disability, now considered outdated and offensive in most contexts; sometimes used metaphorically to criticize foolish ideas or actions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties have largely abandoned the term in professional contexts. British English may retain slightly more historical usage in older legal/medical documents.
Connotations
Strongly pejorative and offensive in both varieties; considered demeaning and disrespectful.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage except in historical contexts or by those unaware of its offensive nature.
Grammar
How to Use “mental retardation” in a Sentence
suffer from mental retardationdiagnosed with mental retardationcharacterized by mental retardationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mental retardation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition was once described as 'mental retardation' in older textbooks.
American English
- Historical documents might refer to someone as 'mentally retarded'.
adjective
British English
- The outdated term 'mentally retarded' appears in legislation from the 1970s.
American English
- 'Mentally retarded' was common in educational assessments until the 1990s.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never appropriate; would be considered highly unprofessional and discriminatory.
Academic
Only in historical or critical discussions of terminology; modern research uses 'intellectual disability'.
Everyday
Considered offensive and inappropriate; should be avoided completely.
Technical
Largely replaced by 'intellectual disability' in medical, psychological, and educational fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mental retardation”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mental retardation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mental retardation”
- Using it as a current clinical term
- Employing it as an insult
- Assuming it's acceptable in formal writing
- Translating directly from other languages without considering English connotations
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It reduces people to a diagnostic label, has been used pejoratively, and emphasizes deficits rather than individuals.
'Intellectual disability' or 'developmental disability' are current, respectful terms in most contexts.
Only in specific historical discussions or when quoting sources, with appropriate context about its problematic nature.
From 'idiot/imbecile/moron' (early 20th century) to 'mental retardation' (mid-century) to 'intellectual disability' (current), reflecting evolving understanding and respect.
A condition characterized by significantly below-average intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior that originates before age 18.
Mental retardation is usually medical/clinical (historical), offensive (contemporary) in register.
Mental retardation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmentəl ˌriːtɑːˈdeɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmentəl ˌriːtɑːrˈdeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated with this term”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember: 'Retardation' means 'slowing down' - but using this term for people slows down progress toward dignity and respect.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVELOPMENT IS A JOURNEY (with this term suggesting the journey is unnaturally slow)
Practice
Quiz
Which term is currently preferred in professional contexts?