What does "attitude" mean?
The position of the body or way of carrying oneself.
Attitude
/ˈætɪˌt͡ʃuːd/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The position of the body or way of carrying oneself.
- Grammar: attitude is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: posture, affect, air, approach.
- Useful contrasts: apathy, negativity, pessimism.
- Usage evidence: What do you make of his attitude towards us these days?
How to use "attitude"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "attitude" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "attitude" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "attitude" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "attitude" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "attitude" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "posture" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "attitude", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The position of the body or way of carrying oneself. countable, uncountable
"The ballet dancer walked with a graceful attitude."
- 2 a theatrical pose created for effect wordnet
- 3 Disposition or state of mind. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"Don't give me your negative attitude."
- 4 the arrangement of the body and its limbs wordnet
- 5 Unpleasant behavior. Canada, Philippines, UK, US, countable, informal, uncountable
"He doesn't take attitude from anybody."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways wordnet
- 7 The orientation of a vehicle or other object relative to the horizon, direction of motion, other objects, etc. countable, uncountable
"The airliner had to land with a nose-up attitude after the incident."
- 8 position of aircraft or spacecraft relative to a frame of reference (the horizon or direction of motion) wordnet
- 9 A position similar to arabesque, but with the raised leg bent at the knee. countable, uncountable
"Blasis was a man of many accomplishments. He invented the ballet position of attitude and codified the ballet technique of that time, distinguishing three types of dancers: the serious, the demi-caractère, and the comic dancer."
Verb
- 1 To assume or to place in a particular position or orientation; to pose.
"[…] nymphs of quality, formed for the offices of love and of conversation, are attituded about her, each star set as it were in surrounding satellites of admirers;[…]"
- 2 To express an attitude through one's posture, bearing, tone of voice, etc.
"He attituded his way over to me, got up close, and just stood there looking at me, trying to appear threatening."
Antonyms
Example
"What do you make of his attitude towards us these days?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "attitude"?
Common synonyms include: posture, affect, air, approach, approach, approach to learning.
How do you use "attitude" in a sentence?
What do you make of his attitude towards us these days?
How do you pronounce "attitude"?
Pronounced /ˈætɪˌt͡ʃuːd/.
Etymology
From French attitude, from Italian attitudine (“attitude, aptness”), from Medieval Latin aptitūdō (“aptitude”) and actitūdō (“acting, posture”), from Latin aptō and actitō. Doublet of aptitude.