attitude

noun

at·​ti·​tude ˈa-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce attitude (audio)
-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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Americans don’t need the White House website to explain to them the attitude of this administration—Trump’s actions and the consequences of them are plain to see. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025 That attitude, Nixon lamented, had been on display in the front-page coverage of Manson. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 With his irreverent attitude, Girbaud reinterpreted them by putting contrasting stitches on a back pocket and adding a metal piercing embellishment in the three dots that make for the lowkey logo marking Létrange’s offerings. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025 Your disposition and attitude is an inspiration. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attitude

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of attitude was in 1668

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attitude. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

attitude

noun
at·​ti·​tude ˈat-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce attitude (audio)
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 How to pronounce attitude (audio)
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)

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