attitude

noun

at·​ti·​tude ˈa-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : posture

depicted her in a reclining attitude

2

: a position assumed for a specific purpose

a threatening attitude

3

: a ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee

4

a

: a mental position with regard to a fact or state

a helpful attitude

b

: a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state

a negative attitude

an optimistic attitude

5

: the position of a craft (such as an aircraft or spacecraft) determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (such as the horizon or a particular star)

6

: a bodily state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (such as an object, concept, or situation)

7

a

: a negative or hostile state of mind

b

: a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner

He was showing some attitude in practice today, so the coach benched him.

Synonyms

• carriage
• poise
• posture
• stance
• station

Examples of attitude in a Sentence

He has a positive attitude about the changes.

She's friendly and has a good attitude.

You need to change your bad attitude.

There's been a change in his attitude since his accident.

I don't know what her problem is. She has a real attitude.

I suggest you get rid of that attitude and shape up.

He was showing some attitude during practice today, so the coach benched him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Read the full analysis here. 2:03 Broad economic discontent and sharp divisions about the nation’s future mark voter attitudes nationally in ABC News' preliminary exit poll results. —ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024

That attitude ties in with another of the DOL’s principles, which recommends that AI should be used only to enable workers, which, in turn, could improve their job quality. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024

Such attitudes only reinforce the belief that democracy is fragile. —Chris Jackson, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024

This could mean tackling those big conversations that have been lingering in the back of your mind or diving into financial matters with a bold attitude. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian attitudine, literally, aptitude, from Late Latin aptitudin-, aptitudo fitness — more at aptitude

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing attitude

• attitude problem
• cop an attitude

Kids Definition

attitude

noun

at·​ti·​tude ˈat-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: a position of the body or a figure : posture

2

: a particular feeling or way of thinking about something

3

: the position of something in relation to something else

Medical Definition

attitude

noun

at·​ti·​tude ˈat-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the arrangement of the parts of the body : posture

2

a

: a mental position with regard to a fact or state

b

: a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state

3

: an organismic state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (as an object, concept, or situation)