disposition

noun dis·po·si·tion \ ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: disposition in a Sentence

Editor's Note: What is the difference between disposition and predisposition?

Definition of disposition

1 a : prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination

b : temperamental makeup

c : the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances

2 : the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: such as

a : administration, control

b : final arrangement : settlement

the disposition of the case

c (1) : transfer to the care or possession of another

(2) : the power of such transferal

d : orderly arrangement

—

dispositional

play \-ˈzish-nəl, -ˈzi-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See disposition defined for English-language learners

See disposition defined for kids

Examples of disposition in a Sentence

They move jerkily, like puppets, but have a happy disposition; they are perpetually smiling and are given to frequent paroxysms of laughter. —Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999
… the eight species of wild equids (horses and their relatives) vary greatly in disposition, even though all eight are genetically so close to each other that they will interbreed and produce healthy (though usually sterile) offspring. —Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997
His father, Increase [Mather], with all his faults—his sour, depressive disposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive. —Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
Her easy disposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings. —John Edgar Wideman, Bothers and Keepers, 1984
a dog with an excellent disposition
Her disposition was to always think negatively.
He has a disposition toward criminal behavior.
people with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease
A will is a legal document that is used in the disposition of property.

Recent Examples of disposition from the Web

But the disposition of the Free Market bank account, which was tied to Mr. Schnare’s Social Security number, is still in contention.

— john schwartz, New York Times, "He Sues to Discredit Climate Scientists. Now He’s Being Sued by His Allies.," 11 July 2018
The actual amount each will receive isn’t known yet because the disposition of many of Cotter’s properties is still underway.

— patrick danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Real estate tycoon Cotter leaves behind tangled empire, fight over assets after his death," 11 June 2018
The former San Diego manager’s familiar, sunny disposition was still there.

— dennis lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Rockies celebrate 2007 team with reunion, win over Padres," 15 Sep. 2017
The maker of at-home DNA testing kits, 23andMe has previously marketed to Americans hoping to trace back their ancestry, or unearth genetic dispositions to certain diseases.

— ashwin rodrigues, Fortune, "23andMe Offers Pared-Down Test, Tells You If You’re Michael Douglas," 7 June 2018
According to a 2018 Vera Institute analysis, 64 percent of the 5,308 people with dispositions in Criminal District Court in 2017 had their cases dismissed, were found not guilty, or were convicted and received a sentence of probation.

— heather nolan, NOLA.com, "New Orleans' money bail bond system puts a price on freedom, report says," 14 May 2018
Every new President disturbs the disposition of power in Washington.

— evan osnos, The New Yorker, "Trump vs. the “Deep State”," 14 May 2018
Another individual with a Virgo sun sign may lead with the earth sign's signature analytical disposition but also feel impulsive thanks to a fiery Aries moon.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What Your Moon Sign Reveals About Your Emotional Personality," 23 Apr. 2018
Kuechly, speaking to reporters for the first time since his shoulder surgery this spring, let a little angst trickle through his sunny disposition.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Panthers LB Luke Kuechly really misses football. How long before he can hit someone?," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disposition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

What is the difference between disposition and predisposition?

What exactly is someone's disposition? And is it different from a predisposition? A person's disposition is his or her usual mood or attitude. Are you typically pretty happy? You could be described as having a happy—or cheerful, or sunny—disposition. Animals have dispositions too; a dog with a nervous disposition doesn't easily relax into a restful pup curled up at someone’s feet. In this use, disposition is a synonym of temperament; both words refer to the complex set of attitudes and inclinations that guide behavior.

Disposition can also mean "tendency" or "inclination," and in such cases it has a surprising synonym: predisposition. A disposition to exaggerate is the same as a predisposition to exaggerate. A disposition toward humility is likewise the same thing as a predisposition toward humility. The fact of being "in advance" that the prefix pre- implies hardly matters when tendency and inclination are concerned, since both concern what is likely to happen in the future.

While phrases like "a disposition to cooperate" are about as common as "a predisposition to cooperate," when the context is medical, predisposition is far more common. Phrases like "a genetic predisposition to nearsightedness" appear much more frequently in published, edited text than similar phrases employing disposition.

Origin and Etymology of disposition

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin disposition-, dispositio, from disponere — see ¹dispose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

disposition Synonyms

Synonyms

affection, affinity, aptitude, bent, bias, bone, devices, genius, habitude, impulse, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn;

Near Antonyms

allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disrelish, distaste;

detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity;

apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern;

endowment, faculty, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent;

addiction, appetite, fancy, fondness, like, liking, preference, taste;

forte, speciality, specialty;

convention, custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), routine, trick, way, wont;

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, kink, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity;

Synonym Discussion of disposition

disposition, temperament, temper, character, personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group. disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

- a cheerful disposition

temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

- an artistic temperament

temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

- a resilient temper

character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

- strength of character

personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

- a somber personality

Financial Definition of DISPOSITION

disposition

noun

What It Is

Disposition refers to disposing of an asset through sale, assignment, or other transfer method.

How It Works

When an investor sells stock or bonds in a particular company, the sale is referred to as a disposition of the stock or bonds. Insider trades are reported by a company as the disposition of shares to board members and executives. When a bank reviews its loans and decides to sell the collateral that has been taken in a foreclosure, it is referred to as a disposition of the loan assets.

Why It Matters

Disposition indicates a transfer of ownership of the asset. The asset is sold or relinquished. Disposition can also describe an asset held as collateral on a loan.

Source: Investing Answers

DISPOSITION Defined for English Language Learners

disposition

noun

Definition of disposition for English Language Learners

: the usual attitude or mood of a person or animal
: a tendency to act or think in a particular way
: a tendency to develop a disease, condition, etc.

DISPOSITION Defined for Kids

disposition

noun dis·po·si·tion \ ˌdis-pə-ˈzi-shən \

Definition of disposition for Students

1 : a person's usual attitude or mood

His disposition had been … sour lately.
—Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder

2 : tendency 1, liking

She has a disposition to complain.

3 : arrangement 1

Law Dictionary

disposition

noun dis·po·si·tion

legal Definition of disposition

1 a : the final determination of a matter (as a case or motion) by a court or quasi-judicial tribunal

the beneficiary of such a disposition of charges against him
—United States v. Smith, 354 A.2d 510 (1976)

— compare decision, holding, judgment, opinion, ruling, verdict

b : the sentence given to a convicted criminal defendant

probation is often a desirable disposition
—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel

also : the sentence given to or treatment prescribed for a juvenile offender

2 : transfer to the care, possession, or ownership of another

to either a surviving spouse or a charity, those dispositions are totally exonerated from the payment of taxes
—Matter of McKinney, 477 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1984)

also : the power of such transferral

3 : the state or condition of being predisposed : predisposition