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

He is paired with Barbara Havers (Sofia Barclay), a sergeant with a maverick attitude and a working-class background. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024

Such carnage was understandably unpleasant for some viewers — even ones who sympathize with the series’ eat-the-rich attitude — and Season 2 continues to choose violence. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Dec. 2024

To keep it all in perspective, Kersting advises his patients to practice an attitude of gratitude. —Mindy Mizell, Fox News, 24 Dec. 2024

The media roundly mocked the incident, which left 19 people hospitalized, an attitude reflecting prejudicial views of the event-goers’ lifestyle. —Marnie Shure, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 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)