attitude

AT-i-tood/ˈætɪˌtud/UKAT-i-tewd/ˈætɪˌt͡ʃuːd/

7 meanings of attitude

1
state of mindnounfigurativelycountable
The way a person thinks or feels about something.
Like the mood you carry with you when you walk into a room.
She has a positive attitude about starting her new job.
His attitude changed once he understood the problem.
UsageSay a good or bad attitude toward something. Attitude alone often means being rude.
Similaroutlook, mindset, disposition, approach, mentality
2
uncooperativenouncolloquialuncountable
A rude or angry way of behaving toward other people.
Like rolling your eyes and answering back when someone asks for help.
The waiter gave me a lot of attitude when I asked for more water.
Don't give me attitude just because you had a bad day.
UsagePeople say give someone attitude or have an attitude.
Similardefiance, insolence, sass, impudence, cheek
Oppositerespect, deference, courtesy
3
nouncountable
The way a person holds or positions their body.
The old statue shows a man kneeling in an attitude of prayer.
In the painting, the sleeping dog lies in an attitude of complete rest.
UsageOften in an attitude of prayer or rest.
Similarposture, stance
Note
4
angle (vehicles)nouncountable or uncountable
How a vehicle is tilted or pointed compared with the ground or its direction of travel.
Like the way a toy plane points up, down, or to one side as you move it through the air.
The pilot corrected the plane's attitude before landing.
A small thruster changed the satellite's attitude in orbit.
Similarorientation, trim
Note

Less common meanings

5
ballet posenouncountable
A ballet pose where a dancer stands on one leg with the other lifted and bent at the knee.
Like standing on one leg like a flamingo, with your other leg lifted and bent behind you.
She rose onto one foot and held a perfect attitude.
The teacher showed the class how to balance in an attitude.
Note
6
set positionverbtransitive
To put yourself or something into a certain position, or to strike a pose.
The attituded control gyro package, electronics, APS gas supply, and the preentry electronics are mounted internally, and are distributed circumferentially at the major ring.
1971, Advances in Astronautical Sciences, American Astronautical Society
Similarorient, position, pose
Note
7
verbcolloquialintransitive
To show how you feel through your body, your voice, or the way you act.
Don't attitude your way into the kitchen and expect me to make you dinner.
He attituded his way past us, chin up and eyes rolling.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It came through French and Italian from Latin words meaning aptness or posture. It shares a root with 'aptitude'.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Attitude came through French and Italian from Latin words meaning aptness or posture. en.wiktionary.org
Attitude shares a root with aptitude. en.wiktionary.org