attitude

noun

at·​ti·​tude ˈa-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the particular way a person thinks or feels about something or someone

her attitude towards life

attitudes about race/gender

historical attitudes towards women

I don't understand your attitude to money.

… took a decidedly more progressive attitude than our parents.

—Alice Walker

often, specifically : an attitude of a given kind shown by a person's behavior

an employee with a positive attitude

… his vaguely mocking attitude …

—Grace Lin

… has the right attitude for finding future success.

—Matt Stahl

2

a

: a negative or hostile state of mind

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

b

: a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner

gave the teacher some attitude

… showed some attitude with her strut on the catwalk …

—Steve Virgen

3

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

depicted her in a reclining attitude

4

: a physical position assumed for a specific purpose

assumed a threatening attitude

5

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

The attitude of the organism toward the environment changes as it acquires new habits of action.

—John Dewey

6

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

7

: 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)

Synonyms of attitude

• stance
• posture

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

No matter your overall aesthetic, these platforms add instant attitude. —Amanda Le, InStyle, 2 Jan. 2026

Dating is also becoming more challenging as a result of shifting attitudes towards emotional availability and vulnerability, said Hena Bryan in Glamour. —Deeya Sonalkar, TheWeek, 2 Jan. 2026

Even just sitting quietly at his side, the Irish actress conveys the healing power of human connection in several quietly profound scenes that course-correct his attitudes on life. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 2 Jan. 2026

Reese is holding out hope with a positive attitude. —Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026

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 3

Phrases Containing attitude

• attitude problem
• cop an attitude

Rhymes for attitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude
• interviewed

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)