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

At the press conference Thursday, Humphrey said Dean’s hard work and positive attitude during his desk duty also weighed on his discipline decision. —Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024

His positive attitude is contagious and students LOVE having him in class. —Rebecca Loroff, Journal Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2024

Rather than trying to rank particular paranormal beliefs, the new study examines peoples’ general attitudes toward provable versus non-provable concepts. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024

Although voters reported that domestic issues such as immigration and inflation were their main concerns, these priorities reflect—and were driven by—their shifting attitudes toward American foreign policy. —Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 13 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)