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Glite Dictionary
to create mentally

to create mentally

1 6.7
To form an idea or picture in your mind
  • phrasal verb
: crear mentalmente
  • She can easily create mentally vivid images of the stories she reads.

Examples

  • Many artists can create mentally whatever they imagine without needing physical materials.

  • He learned to create mentally complex designs before sketching them on paper.

  • As kids create mentally, they go through many levels.

    Blog text (33)

Synonyms

to make
vsto create mentally
∞ 1.0

To create something by putting parts together

focuses only on producing ideas in the mind, not physical building
to create
vsto create mentally
∞ 1.0

To make something new that does not exist yet

limits sense to forming ideas inside the mind instead of physical production
to imagine
vsto create mentally
∞ 1.3

To form a picture in your mind of something not real

is about forming ideas in the mind rather than only picturing scenes
to think of
vsto create mentally
583 2.1

Invent a plan or idea in your mind

is the overall formation of ideas, not only occasional recall or mention
to form
vsto create mentally
510 1.0

To create a group or organization

is narrower to bringing ideas into the mind rather than external entities
to conceive
vsto create mentally
98 5.2

To form an idea or plan in your mind

focuses on general idea development rather than the planning process
to think up
vsto create mentally
60 3.2

To make up an idea, plan, or excuse

is broader than simply inventing quick ideas by thought
to invent
vsto create mentally
52 3.2

To make up a story or excuse that is not true

is wider, covering any idea formed inside the mind not only made-up items
to conceptualize
vsto create mentally
11 6.9

To form an idea in your mind about something

is a more general act of bringing an idea into the mind

How Imagined

to invent
640 3.1
to dream up
  • Informal
46 3.9
to create mentally
1 6.7
to conceive
98 5.2
to imagine
∞ 1.3
to think of
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

create mentally infinitive
created mentally past
created mentally past participle
creating mentally present participle
creates mentally third person singular

Morphology

create + mentally

The meaning 'to bring something into existence in the mind' is directly derivable from combining 'create' (to bring into existence) with 'mentally' (in the mind). This verb + adverb composition is straightforward and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand the MWE.

Etymology

The phrase create mentally paints a clear picture: an artist or builder who can create something only in the mind, and the word mentally shows it happens 'in your head'. So create mentally means 'to make something in your imagination'.