What does "mantra" mean?
The hymn portions of the Vedas; any passage of these used as a prayer.
Mantra
/ˈmæn.tɹə/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The hymn portions of the Vedas; any passage of these used as a prayer.
- Grammar: mantra is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: agnus dei, alleluia, answer, anthem.
- Useful contrasts: distraction, profane utterance, unprincipled approach.
- Usage evidence: The monks chanted a mantra in unison.
How to use "mantra"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "mantra" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "mantra" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "mantra" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "mantra" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "agnus dei" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The hymn portions of the Vedas; any passage of these used as a prayer. Hinduism
"This mantra is also known as Guru Mantra or Savitri Mantra. The mention of Gayatri Mantra is found in all the four Vedas where its essence has been explained repeatedly. The Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedic scriptures, has mentioned about […]"
- 2 (Sanskrit) literally a ‘sacred utterance’ in Vedism; one of a collection of orally transmitted poetic hymns wordnet
- 3 A phrase repeated to assist concentration during meditation.
"However, the five-syllable mantra is unique, for according to Kukai, it unleashes the power of emptiness already impregnated in each letter as a primeval episode of the Dharmakaya's cosmic meditation in which he created all sorts of mantras […]"
- 4 a commonly repeated word or phrase wordnet
- 5 A slogan or phrase often repeated. broadly
"The pre-match mantra from the Scotland camp may have been of it not being a “must win” game but that fooled no-one, Poland’s win in Georgia earlier last night simply crystallised how vital it was for the Scots not to lose any more ground at this stage of an intensely competitive campaign."
Antonyms
Example
"The monks chanted a mantra in unison."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "mantra"?
Common synonyms include: agnus dei, alleluia, answer, anthem, antiphon, antiphony.
How do you use "mantra" in a sentence?
The monks chanted a mantra in unison.
How do you pronounce "mantra"?
Pronounced /ˈmæn.tɹə/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Sanskrit मन्त्र (mantra), from Proto-Indo-Iranian *mántras, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *men- (“to think”). Related to mind.