mention

mention — verb

1. to say a short piece of information about someone or something in a conversation

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to say a short piece of information about someone or something in a conversation, a speech, or a piece of writing, without going into a lot of detail

Example

Minho mentioned the new Korean café downtown that serves handmade noodles, and a few of us went there for lunch.

mention + noun phrase (topic introduced)

In her blog post, Hoa briefly mentioned a free coding workshop for children at the library.

mention + that-clause; adverbial: briefly mentioned

Common collocations
  • mention briefly
  • mention casually
  • already mentioned
  • previously mentioned
  • as mentioned above
Synonyms
  • refer to

    slightly more formal; often used in writing to direct the reader's attention

  • bring up

    less formal; suggests introducing a topic deliberately in conversation

  • cite

    formal; used for quoting an authority, a source, or an example

Antonyms
  • omit

    to leave out on purpose

  • overlook

    to fail to mention, either by accident or intentionally

Grammar Patterns

mention + noun phrase

mention + that-clause

mention + wh-clause

Usage Note

Frequently used with a that-clause to report what was said indirectly. The passive form is common in formal writing, as in 'It was mentioned in the report that…'

Common Mistakes

She mentioned about the party.
She mentioned the party.
mention is transitive and does not take a preposition before its object.
He mentioned me the news.
He mentioned the news to me.' or 'He told me the news.
mention cannot take an indirect object without a preposition.

2. to suggest someone by name as a possible choice for a job, an award, a position

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to suggest someone by name as a possible choice for a job, an award, a position on a team, or another opportunity

Example

Ife's manager mentioned her for the team-lead position after the project succeeded.

mention + person + for + role

Several committee members mentioned Andrés as someone who deserved the teaching award.

Common collocations
  • mention for an award
  • mentioned as a candidate
  • mentioned for promotion
Synonyms
  • nominate

    more formal; implies an official process, often with paperwork or a vote

  • recommend

    stronger endorsement; suggests the speaker actively supports the choice

  • put forward

    similar formality; often used in committee or meeting contexts

Grammar Patterns

mention + person + for + role

be mentioned as + candidate

Usage Note

Often used in professional or academic contexts. The passive construction (e.g., 'X was mentioned for Y') is common when the focus is on the candidate rather than the speaker.

Common Mistakes

The boss mentioned to the position.
The boss mentioned him for the position.
mention as a candidate always requires a person as direct object, with a for-phrase indicating the role.
Idioms

don't mention it

idiom

a polite thing to say when someone thanks you, meaning that you were happy to help and no thanks are needed

Darius thanked the neighbour for watering his plants, and she said, 'Don't mention it.'

"Thanks for looking after my cat over the weekend!" "Don't mention it — she was no trouble at all."

not to mention

idiom

used to add extra information that strengthens or emphasises what you have just said, often something that is equally important or even more so

The apartment is small and dark, not to mention the terrible noise from the street.

Reuben already speaks French and Spanish fluently, not to mention his excellent Mandarin.

don’t mention it

idiom

A polite way to say that you were happy to help and the thanks is not necessary.

Sara thanked Brian for fixing her bike, and he said, "Don't mention it."

"Thanks for the ride, Maya!" "Don't mention it, Diego."

mention — noun

Word family

  • mentioned
    adjectiveB1
  • unmentioned
    adjectiveC1
  • mentionable
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe calling attention to something, but they differ in formality and the amount of detail given. 'Mention' is the most neutral and common — you use it when you briefly name a person, fact, or topic without elaborating. 'Refer to' often points the listener or reader to a source, passage, or prior conversation, as in 'The report refers to the 2021 study.' 'Bring up' is less formal and suggests deliberately introducing a topic into a discussion, sometimes a sensitive one: 'She brought up the issue of salaries during the meeting.' 'Cite' is formal and implies providing evidence or quoting an authority: 'The lawyer cited three previous court cases.' In conversation, a speaker might mention their weekend plans, refer to a news article they read, bring up a problem at work, or cite a scientific study to support an argument.

mention ↗refer to ↗bring up ↗cite ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make mention of
  • worthy of mention
  • at the mention of
  • no mention of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'mention' comes from the Latin verb 'mentio' (a calling to mind, a speaking of), which itself is related to 'mens' (mind). It entered English through Old French 'mention' in the 14th century, originally meaning 'a calling to mind' or 'a remembrance'. By the 17th century it had settled into its modern meaning of speaking or writing about something briefly.