Mention in English — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

Quick Definition

To mention something means to refer to it briefly in speech or writing, without going into great detail. As a noun, a mention is a brief reference to a person, thing, or idea.

What Does Mention Mean?

Mention comes from Latin mentio, meaning "a calling to mind". In everyday English it is one of the most common reporting verbs — used when you want to say that someone referred to something briefly rather than discussed it at length.

The key difference between mention and say or tell is the sense of brevity: if you mention something, you bring it up quickly, often as a side point. Compare: "She said she was tired" (neutral report) vs "She mentioned she was tired" (brief, possibly in passing).

As a noun, mention is used in phrases like "a brief mention", "an honourable mention", or "not a mention of". It is part of the Oxford 3000 core vocabulary list, making it essential for all English learners.

Example Sentences

Sentence	Usage note
He mentioned that the meeting had been cancelled.	verb + that-clause
She didn't mention the price when she recommended the restaurant.	verb + noun object
There was no mention of the delay in the official report.	noun form

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

She mentioned to go to the shop.

She mentioned going to the shop. (mention + gerund or that-clause, not infinitive)

Related Vocabulary

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “mention”

What does mention mean?

To mention something means to say or write briefly about it, without discussing it in depth. For example: 'She mentioned that she was tired.' As a noun, a mention is a brief reference: 'There was no mention of the problem in his report.'

How do you use mention in a sentence?

As a verb: 'He mentioned the meeting earlier.' As a noun: 'There was only a brief mention of her name.' Note that mention is usually followed by a noun or a that-clause: 'She mentioned that she would be late.' Avoid using mention with an infinitive — say 'He mentioned going' not 'He mentioned to go'.

What level is mention? (CEFR)

Mention is an A2 (Elementary) level word on the CEFR scale and is included in the Oxford 3000 core vocabulary list. It is one of the most frequently used words in everyday spoken and written English.

What is the difference between mention and say?

Both are reporting verbs, but mention implies brevity — bringing something up briefly, often as a side point. Say is neutral and simply reports speech. 'She said the project was done' is a neutral report; 'She mentioned the project' suggests it came up briefly, perhaps in passing.

Can mention be used as a noun?

Yes. As a noun, mention means a brief reference: 'a mention in the press', 'an honourable mention', 'no mention of the delay'. The noun is countable: 'several mentions of his name appeared in the article.'

What does "not to mention" mean?

'Not to mention' is a fixed phrase used to add emphasis, meaning 'and also, importantly': 'The journey was long and tiring, not to mention expensive.' Despite the name, it actually introduces additional information rather than omitting it.

What is an honourable mention?

An honourable mention is a formal recognition given to someone who deserves acknowledgement but did not win a prize or reach the top position. It is common in competitions, award ceremonies, and academic contexts.

What is the past tense of mention?

The past tense is mentioned (regular verb): 'She mentioned it yesterday.' The present participle is mentioning: 'He kept mentioning the same problem.' The noun form is mention; the adjective is unmentioned (something not mentioned).

What grammar follows mention?

Mention can be followed by: a noun ('mention the price'), a that-clause ('mentioned that she was late'), or a gerund ('mentioned going'). It cannot be followed by an infinitive. In passive voice: 'The issue was mentioned in the meeting.'

How can I practise using mention in English?

Use LexFizz's Flash Cards tool to test mention and related reporting verbs (say, tell, state, note, point out). The Complete the Sentence exercise is also useful for practising mention in realistic contexts.