What does mentionable mean?
Mentionable is an adjective meaning worthy of being mentioned, usually because something is unusual, important, or otherwise noteworthy. It is often used with qualifiers such as 'barely' or 'hardly', especially in contexts where a detail is being described as insignificant or easily overlooked: 'The change is hardly mentionable.' The word can also indicate that something is sufficiently consequential to include in a report, conversation, or record, although this use is less common and can sound formal. Mentionable should not be confused with memorable. A memorable item is designed or likely to remain in the memory, whereas a mentionable item is simply important enough to be referred to. In modern use, the adjective is relatively uncommon, but it remains useful when emphasizing the threshold between something worth discussing and something that can safely be ignored.
adjectiveWorthy or important enough to be mentioned; noteworthy or significant.
- Worthy or important enough to be mentioned; noteworthy.
"The proposal was too minor to be mentionable in the final report."
"The director made only a mentionable contribution to the final decision."
"The difference between the two proposals is barely mentionable."
Not every important fact is memorable—and not every memorable fact is mentionable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mentionable come from?
Mentionable was formed in the 19th century from the English verb mention and the suffix -able. Mention itself comes through Old French from Latin mentionare, meaning 'to call to mind' or 'to refer to', and ultimately from mens, meaning 'mind' or 'intellect'. The cognate mentioner also reflects this verbal lineage.
Related word forms
How mentionable is actually used
Relatively formal and uncommon. It often appears in qualified expressions such as 'barely mentionable' or 'not even mentionable', and it normally describes something judged significant enough to attract attention or discussion.
Easily confused with mentionable
Mentionable means noteworthy enough to be mentioned; memorable means likely to be remembered.