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

The moment the baby died, the attitude of the chimps utterly changed, from panic to curiosity. —Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

During these visits, CMOs can better understand habits, attitudes, and an unfiltered reality that can enhance their marketing plans. —Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

But the judge appeared troubled over the prosecutor’s attitude toward Baldwin’s defense attorneys’ arguments in July that the actor had been denied his right to review all of the evidence against him. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024

As recovery experts will say, sobriety also means a daily commitment to a new lifestyle, a focus on self-care and sometimes painful self-examination in order to transform self-destructive behaviors and attitudes into positive, healthy ones. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 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)