Pronunciation

/ˈseɪnti/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

Sanity refers to the state of being of sound mind, rational thinking, and good mental health. It involves being aware of reality, having a sense of judgment, and being able to differentiate between right and wrong.

Examples

• The patient’s sanity was questioned after a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
• The lawyer argued that her client was sane at the time of the crime.

Synonyms

• Mental health
• Good sense
• Reason

Antonyms

• Madness
• Insanity
• Irrationality

Etymology

The word ‘sanity’ comes from the Latin word ‘sanitas’, meaning ‘soundness’ or ‘wholeness’. It has been used in the English language since the 15th century to describe mental health and rational thinking.

Usage Notes

The word ‘sanity’ can be used in various contexts, such as mental health, law, and everyday conversations. It is essential to use it correctly to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

In formal situations, it is recommended to use more precise language, such as ‘mental health’ or ‘rational thinking’, while in everyday conversations, ‘sanity’ can be used as a more casual term.

Cultural References

The concept of sanity has been explored in various works of literature and art, such as Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’. In popular culture, songs like ‘Sanity’ by The Cult and ‘Sanity’ by Foo Fighters have referenced the concept.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Drive someone mad
• Go mad
• Have a few screws loose

Related Words or Phrases

Mental health, rational thinking, madness, insanity, irrationality

Collocations

Sanity and mental health are often used together to describe a person’s state of mind. For example, ‘Sanity and mental health were affected by the traumatic event.’

Frequency of Use

The word ‘sanity’ is relatively common in everyday conversations and formal situations. However, its frequency of use has decreased slightly in recent years, as more precise language has been used instead.

Common Misspellings

The most common misspelling of the word ‘sanity’ is ‘santy’. Other variations include ‘sanatity’ and ‘sainity’, which are often used informally or in regional dialects.