Definition of the word attitude

Last Updated:
7 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

An attitude describes persons’ enduring favorable or unfavorable cognitive evaluations, feelings, and action tendencies toward some object or idea. People have attitudes regarding almost everything such as religion, politics, cloth, music, food.

A person’s attitudes settle into a coherent pattern and to change one may require difficult adjustment in many others. Thus, a company would be well advised to fit its product into existing attitudes rather than to try changing people’s attitude.

Attitude can be defined as learnt predispositions to respond to an object or class of objects in a consistently favorable or unfavourable way.

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Attitude Definition

Attitudes are evaluation statements either favourable or unfavourable or unfavourable concerning objects, people or events. They reflect how one feels about something.

Robbins

Attitude is a mental and neutral state of readiness organized through experience, exerting a directive or dynamic influence upon individual’s response to all objects and situations with which it is related.

G.W. Allport

 Attitude as an enduring organization of motivational, emotional, perceptual and cognitive processes with respect to some aspect of the individual’s world.

Krech and Crutchfield

Attitude is a tendency or predisposition to evaluate an object or symbol of that object in a certain way.

Katz and Scotland

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Attitude Meaning

In simple words, an “attitude” is an individual’s way of looking or an individual’s point of view at something.

To be more specific, an “attitude” may be defined as the mental state of an individual, which prepares him to react or make him behave in a particular pre-determined way. It is actually an acquired feeling.

Attitude is the mixture of beliefs and feelings that people
have about situations, specific ideas or other people.

Also Read: What is Organizational Behavior? | Organizational Behavior Definition

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Components of Attitude

1. Cognitive component
2. Affective component
3. Behavioral component

Cognitive component

Beliefs are the cognitive components of consumer attitude. Cognitive component of attitude is associated with the value statement. It consists of values, belief, ideas and other information that a person may have faith in.

Positive brand associations enhance brand equity and are achieved through a number of positioning strategies. Through brand associations, marketers establish and influence favorable beliefs about a brand and unfavorable beliefs about competitors.

Example: Quality of sincere hard is a faith or value statement that a manager may have.

Affective component

Affective is the emotive component of consumer attitude. Affective component of attitude is associated with individual feelings about another person, which may be positive, neutral or negative.

Three research models describe the determinants of affective response.

• Functional theory of attitude explains that consumers buy as a result of one of four psychological functions: adjustment, ego defense, value expression, and application of prior knowledge.
• Fishbein model relates consumer beliefs and evaluations to affective response: if beliefs are strong and desirable, affective responses are positive.
• Belief importance model analyses affective responses across competing brands.

Example: I don’t like Sam because he is not honest, or I like Sam because he is sincere. It is an expression of feelings about a person, object or a situation.

Behavioral component

Intention is the behavioral component of consumer attitude. Behavioral component of attitude is associated with the impact of various condition or situations that lead to person behavior based on cognitive and affective components.

Two research models demonstrate the relationship between intention to purchase and actual purchase and consumption.

• The theories of reasoned action explain purchasing behavior as a direct result of intention, influenced by attitude toward purchase and by subjective norms.
• The theory of trying to consume explains actual consumption behavior of purchasers. It provides insight into the establishment and maintenance of long-term relationship with consumers.

Example: I don’t like Sam because he is not honest is an affective component, I, therefore, would like to disassociate myself with him, is a behavioural component and therefore I would avoid Sam.

Cognitive and affective components are bases for such behaviour. Former two components cannot be seen, only the behaviour component can be seen. Former is important because it is a base for the formation of attitude.

Also Read: Vroom’s Expectancy Theory of Motivation

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Characteristics of Attitude

Characteristics of attitude are discussed below:

1. Attitude are predispositions
2. Attitude are different from values
3. Attitude are evaluative statement
4. Attitude influence human behavior
5. Attitude have intensity
6. Attitude are learnt

Attitude are predispositions

Attitude are predispositions of purpose, interest or opinion of the person to assess some objects in a favourable or an unfavourable manner.

Attitude are different from values

Attitude are different from values: Values are the ideals, whereas attitudes are narrow, they are our feelings.

Attitude are evaluative statement

Attitude are evaluative statements: either favourable or unfavourable concerning the objects, people or events.

Attitude influence human behavior

A positive attitude towards a thing will influence human behavior towards the thing favorably and vice-versa.

Attitude have intensity

It refers to the strength of the effective component. For example, we may dislike an individual but the extent of our disliking would determine the intensity of our attitude towards the person.

Attitude are learnt

Attitude is not inborn phenomenon. Attitude are learnt through social interaction and experience.

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Functions of Attitude

Four important functions of attitude which are crucial in organizational behavior viewpoint are:

1. Adjustment Function
2. Ego-Defensive Function
3. Value-Expressive Function
4. Knowledge Function

Adjustment Function

Attitudes often help individuals to adjust to their work environment.

Consumers hold certain brand attitudes partly because of the brand utility. If a product has helped us in the past even in a small way, our attitude towards it tends to be favorable. One way of changing attitude in favor of a product is by showing people that it can solve utilitarian goals. They may not have considered some advertisement which stresses the utilitarian benefits of a product.

Example: Well-treated employees tend to develop a positive attitude towards their management or job.

Ego-Defensive Function

Consumers want to protect their self concept from inner feelings of doubt. Cosmetic and personal hygiene products, by acknowledging this need, increase their relevance to the consumer and have the possibility of a favorable attitude by offering reassurance to the consumers self concept.

Example: Older faculty might feel somewhat threatened by a young and new faculty member who is full of fresh ideas and enthusiasm

Value-Expressive Function

Attitudes are one expression of general values, lifestyles, and outlook. If a consumer segment generally holds a positive attitude towards being in a fashion segment, consumer may treat high fashion clothing and accessories as symbols of that lifestyle.

Example, a manager who values honest and sincere work will be more vocal against an employee who is having a very casual approach towards work.

Knowledge Function

Attitudes provide frames of reference or standard that allow individuals to understand and perceive the world around him. Individuals have a strong need to know and understand the people and things with whom they come in contact, especially if they think they might influence their behavior.

Example, If a student has a strong negative attitude towards the college, whatever the college does, the student will be perceived as something ‘bad’ and as actually against them.

Also Read: What is Motivation? | Types of Motivation

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Types of Attitude

There are broadly three types of attitude in term of organisational behavior

1. Job satisfaction
2. Job involvement
3. Organizational commitment

Job satisfaction

A collection of positive and/or negative feelings that an individual holds toward his or her job.

Job involvement

Job involvement refers to the degree to which a person identifies himself (psychologically) with his job, actively participates and considers his perceived performance level important to self-worth. (Robbins)

Higher job satisfaction leads to low absenteeism & employee turnover and indicates that the individual cares for his job.

Organizational commitment

Organizational commitment refers to a degree to which an employee identifies himself with the organizational goals and wishes to maintain membership in the organization.

Resigning from the job or absenting versus job satisfaction is a predictor of organizational commitment. Organizational commitment depends upon the degree of autonomy & freedom job and job enrichment factor.

Also Read: What is Perception? | Importance of Perception

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Attitude Formation

The question often arises, ‘how are the attitudes and subsequent behaviors formed?’ While attitudes are basically learned over the years, some inherited characteristics do affect such attitudes

Some of the learned characteristics responsible for attitude formation are:

1. Experiences
2. Perceptual biases
3. Observation of other person attitude
4. Association
5. Personality

Experiences

Perceptual biases

Observation of other person attitude

Association

Our association with the group we belong to strongly influences our attitude. Our close association with a group would encourage us to be consistent with the attitude of the group.

Personality

Personality is a set of traits and characteristics, habit patterns and conditioned responses to certain stimuli that formulate the impression that a person makes upon others and this impression is a function of a person’s attitude.

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Consumer Attitude Formation

Attitudes are learned though there are different approaches on how learning works as is acquired by individuals. Following factors lead to consumer attitude formation:

1. Economic Factors
2. Family Factors
3. Social Factors
4. Political Factors
5. Psychological Factors
6. Personality Factors
7. Reference Group Factors

Read Complete Article: Consumer Attitude Formation

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Importance of Attitude

An expert knows that a positive attitude is necessary for successful completion of a project or an assigned task. Having a positive attitude with positive thinking in the organization will reflect on what employee do and make them a more productive employee.

Importance of attitude in organisational behavior

Employees with a positive attitude will create a healthy atmosphere in the organization, develop positive relations with sub-ordinates, their supervisors, managers and top management. A positive attitude has significant benefits for an individual in many aspects.

Following are the aspects related to the importance of attitude:

1. Career success
2. Productivity
3. Leadership
4. Teamwork
5. Decision making
6. Motivation
7. Interpersonal relations
8. Stress management

Career success

Performance is a parameter to measure employees‘ success in the workplace. Performance leads to success either through promotion or increased compensation. A positive attitude of an employee will help him to think of ways to accomplish their task in a well-defined manner

Productivity

An employee with a positive attitude tends to take more interest and responsibility and will provide better work, which in turn will improve productivity.

Leadership

Managing a diverse workforce is a crucial task for achieving the objective of an organization. Positive attitude demonstrated by leaders or employee will result in proper communication between the subordinate which will lead to efficient work.

Teamwork

A positive attitude of employees helps to appreciate each other‘s competencies and work as a team for achieving common objectives.

Decision making

An employee with a positive attitude and mindset will help employees to make better decisions, in an objective manner. It will enable employees to choose wisely and logically and avoid them to take an unambiguous decision.

Motivation

Motivation is an important factor for efficient work. An employee with a positive attitude will always be mentally prepared to face any obstacle in a job. The moment they are successful in overcoming obstacles, they are motivated to move forward.

Interpersonal relations

Customers prefer to make relation with someone who is positive in nature. A positive attitude helps in establishing valuable customer loyalty.

Stress management

Positive attitude and thinking will reduce the stress of an employee and with reduced stress employee can take a better decision and increase their productivity which results, employees, to enjoy better health and take fewer sick leaves.

Also Read: What is Learning? | Elements of Learning | Factors Affecting Learning

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Theories of Attitude

1. Balance Theory
2. Congruity Theory
3. Affective Cognitive Consistency Theory
4. Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Lets discuss these 4 theories of attitude in brief:

Balance Theory

Balance Theory is concerned with consistency in the judgement of people and or issues that are linked by some form of relationship.

There are three elements:

• Person
• Other person
• Impersonal entity

There are two types of relationship to connect these three types of elements

1. The linking relations or sentiments
2. The unit relation

Both linking and unit relations are positive or negative towards any object or person or stimuli etc. or these three types of elements.

Congruity Theory

Congruity theory is similar to balance theory. The focus of the theory is on changes in evolution of a source and a concept that are linked by an associative or dissociative assertion.

Congruity exists when a source and concept positively associated have exactly the same evaluation, and when a source and concept that are negatively associated have exactly the opposite evaluation attached to him.

Affective Cognitive Consistency Theory

The theory is also called structural because it is concerned with what happens within the individual when an attitude changes.

It is concerned with the consistency between a person’s overall attitude towards an object or issue and its his beliefs about the relationship.

Cognitive structure means end relationship between the object or issue and the achievement of desired undesired values of goals.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

It is little-bit similar to affective cognitive theory. The difference between these two is that the stimuli arise from environment in the first one.

This theory tends to tie in the third component of attitude. There are three types of cognitions: 1. Dissonance 2.

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Go to Section:

What is Attitude? | Attitude Definition | Attitude Meaning | Components of Attitude | Characteristics of Attitudes | Functions of Attitude | Types of Attitude | Attitude Formation | Importance of Attitude | Theories of Attitude

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Reference

1. Robbins, Stephen P. 2010. Organizational Behaviour. New Delhi: Prentice-Hall.
2. Anderson, M., 2004. The Power of Attitude, Thomas Nelson.

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Полезное

attitude

position; disposition; feeling regarding a person or thing: a negative attitude; posture that is expressive of an emotion: an attitude of indifference

Not to be confused with:

altitude – elevation; extent or distance upward; height: The altitude of the Washington Monument is 555 feet.

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

at·ti·tude

 (ăt′ĭ-to͞od′, -tyo͞od′)

n.

1.

a. A manner of thinking, feeling, or behaving that reflects a state of mind or disposition: has a positive attitude about work; kept a dignified attitude throughout the crisis.

b. Arrogant or aggressive disposition or behavior: One customer with a lot of attitude really tried my patience.

2.

a. A position of the body or manner of carrying oneself: stood in a graceful attitude. See Synonyms at posture.

b. A position similar to an arabesque in which a ballet dancer stands on one leg with the other raised either in front or in back and bent at the knee.

3.

a. The orientation of an aircraft’s axes relative to a reference line or plane, such as the horizon.

b. The orientation of a spacecraft relative to its direction of motion.

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[French, from Italian attitudine, from Late Latin aptitūdō, aptitūdin-, faculty; see aptitude.]

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at′ti·tu′di·nal (-to͞od′n-əl, -tyo͞od′-) adj.

at′ti·tu′di·nal·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

attitude

(ˈætɪˌtjuːd)

n

1. the way a person views something or tends to behave towards it, often in an evaluative way

2. a theatrical pose created for effect (esp in the phrase strike an attitude)

3. a position of the body indicating mood or emotion

4. informal a hostile manner: don’t give me attitude, my girl.

5. (Aeronautics) the orientation of an aircraft’s axes in relation to some plane, esp the horizontal. See also axis¹¹

6. (Astronautics) the orientation of a spacecraft in relation to its direction of motion

7. (Ballet) ballet a classical position in which the body is upright and one leg raised and bent behind

[C17: from French, from Italian attitudine disposition, from Late Latin aptitūdō fitness, from Latin aptus apt]

ˌattiˈtudinal adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

at•ti•tude

(ˈæt ɪˌtud, -ˌtyud)

n.

1. manner, disposition, feeling, position: a cheerful attitude.

2. position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc.: a threatening attitude.

3. the inclination of the three principal axes of an aircraft relative to the wind, to the ground, etc.

4. Slang. a testy, uncooperative disposition.

[1660–70; < French < Italian attitudine < Late Latin aptitūdō aptitude]

at`ti•tu′di•nal, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

attitude

The position of a body as determined by the inclination of the axes to some frame of reference. If not otherwise specified, this frame of reference is fixed to the Earth.

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.

attitude

A pose on one leg with corresponding arm open to side or back, other leg extended to back at 90° with knee bent, corresponding arm raised above head. The raised leg has heel touching supporting leg and the same arm as the supporting leg raised above head.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Translations

1	0   0 The state of mind which makes us react in certain ways to social events or objects; a consistent pattern of thoughts, beliefs, emotions and reactions.

2	0   0 Attitude  The learned, relatively stable tendency to respond to people, concepts, and events in an evaluative way.

3	0   0 Attitude The orientation of a planar or linear feature in three-dimensional space. Planar features that are not horizontal, such as tilted strata, are described by their strike, or the azimuth of the intersect [..]

4	0   0 Attitude Way of thinking, behaving, feeling, etc.

5	0   0 Attitude a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings «Behaviours have changed and attitudes have changed,» Mr Taylor said. — BBC (Feb 16, 2012)

6	0   0 Attitude 1 [countable/uncountable] someone’s opinions or feelings about something, especially as shown by their behaviouran unhealthy social environment that encourages negative attitudesThe move reflects ch [..]

7	0   0 Attitude 1 [countable] attitude (to/toward somebody/something) the way that you think and feel about someone or something; the way that you behave toward someone or something that shows how you think and feel [..]

8	0   0 Attitude 1660s, via French attitude (17c.), from Italian attitudine «disposition, posture,» also «aptness, promptitude,» from Late Latin aptitudinem (nominative aptitudo; see aptitude). Ori [..]

9	0   0 Attitude Bright Idea Poster: “No Matter What Anyone Says” (October 2015 Friend)“Calvin’s Awesome Space Jet” (March 2015 Friend) Find out why Mom looked ready to cry.“The Candy Plan” (October 2 [..]

10

0   0 Attitude 1. (consumer behavior definition) A person’s overall evaluation of a concept; an affective response involving general feelings of liking or favorability. 2. (consumer behavior definition) A cognitive process involving positive or negative valences, feelings, or emotions. An attitude toward an object always involves a stirred-up state—a positi [..]

11	0   0 Attitude The way a person views a situation or condition and then behaves accordingly. An important consideration in Team Building. [D02390]

12	0   0 Attitude a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways; "he had the attitude that work was fun" position: the arrangement of [..]

13	0   0 Attitude The position of an aircraft as determined by the relationship between its axes and some reference object such as the horizon.

14	0   0 Attitude Orientation of the spacecraft’s axes relative to Earth.

15	0   0 Attitude in social psychology, an enduring and general evaluation or cognitive schema relating to an object, person, group, issue, or concept. Strength and valence can vary, thus, an attitude can be negative o [..]

16	0   0 Attitude How the character feels about a certain product, or how an actor comes across in general.

17	0   0 Attitude An attitude is a tendency to perceive, feel or behave towards people or events in a particular manner.

18	0   0 Attitude (n) a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways(n) the arrangement of the body and its limbs(n) a theatrical pose created for effect(n)� [..]

19	0   0 Attitude An aircraft’s position in relation to the horizon (i.e., whether the aircraft is flying level, nose up, nose down, or banking left or right).

20	0   0 Attitude Attitudes describe an individual’s state of mind, developed with experience, that exerts a dynamic influence on individual behavior.

21	0   0 Attitude Complex mental state involving beliefs, feelings, values and dispositions to act in certain ways.

22	0   0 Attitude a person’s tendency to feel about certain people or situations in a particular way. The development of ‘positive’ attitudes in relevant areas is seen as important for effective learning [..]

23	0   0 Attitude The primary aircraft angles in the state vector; pitch, roll, and yaw;

24	0   0 Attitude Evaluation of people, objects, or issues about which an individual has some knowledge.

25	0   0 Attitude An enduring, learned predisposition to behave in a consistent way toward a given class of objects, or a persistent mental and/or neural state of readiness to react to a certain class of objects, not a [..]

26	0   0 Attitude Public Attitudes toward Health, Disease, and the medical care system.

27	0   0 Attitude Orientation of an aircraft with respect to the horizon (pitch and roll).

28	0   0 Attitude An enduring, learned predisposition to behave in a consistent way toward a given class of objects, or a persistent mental and/or neural state of readiness to react to a certain class of objects, not a [..]

29	0   0 Attitude A predisposition to behave in a certain way . A positive attitude toward science is a predisposition to behave in certain ways regarding science, including saying certain kinds of things, spending mon [..]

30	0   0 Attitude A frame of mind in favor of or opposed to a person, policy, belief, institution, topic, etc.

31	0   0 Attitude The position of a body as determined by the inclination of the axes to some other frame of reference. If not otherwise specified, this frame of reference is fixed to the earth.

32	0   0 Attitude Not the pilot’s but the aircraft’s. Refers to the pitch angle of the aircraft; nose high or low. On a carrier landing, the LSO, a man of few words, may transmit the one word: «Attitude! [..]

33	0   0 Attitude The primary aircraft angles in the state vector; pitch, roll, and yaw;

34	0   0 Attitude A vacuum powered instrument which displays pitch and roll movement about the lateral and longitudinal axes.

35	0   0 Attitude The nose position (up or down) and wings level or bank (left or right) in relation to the visual horizon and the attitude indicator

36	0   0 Attitude The primary aircraft angles in the state vector; pitch, roll, and yaw;

37	0   0 Attitude Position of airplane relative to the horizon, i.e., a climbing attitude, straight-and-level attitude, etc.

38	0   0 Attitude whether a defender does or does not want a suit led, or does or does not want to show strength in it. [A defender’s attitude toward a suit is usually described as «encouraging» or » [..]

39	0   0 Attitude Orientation of a space vehicle as determined by the relationship between its axes and some reference plane, e.g. the horizon.

40	0   0 Attitude A relatively stable belief or feeling about a concept, person or object. Attitudes can often be inferred by observing behaviours. Related to definition of values.

41	0   0 Attitude A person’s opinion about another person, thing, or state.

42	0   0 Attitude An attitude is «a psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor» (Eagly & Chaiken, 1993, p. 1). This tendency can be ex [..]

43	0   0 Attitude An attitude is a collection of values and beliefs around a particular subject or area of life. NLP enables us to discover someone’s values and beliefs, and also to assist them in changing them if ne [..]

44	0   0 Attitude noun

45	0   0 Attitude The position of the body or way of carrying oneself; posture. »The ballet dancer walked with a graceful »’attitude.»»’ Disposition or state of mind. »… but had a lazy attitude to work.’ [..]

46	0   0 Attitude the stance that individuals take on a subject that predisposes them to act and react in certain ways. Augmented product

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Britannica Dictionary definition of ATTITUDE

Sports writers are even more left wing than political journalists, so viewing their political opinions as somehow signifying a popular shift in attitude is a mistake. ❋ Unknown (2007)

On the Sunday morning news shows, massive change in attitude from the Dems. ❋ Unknown (2006)

One of the major reasons for this change in attitude is that there’s more money around. ❋ Unknown (2003)

For some, it is an easy shorthand for a change in attitude from the search for growth — which largely meant industrial and material growth — toward a society whose values are less materialistic and more concerned with the quality of life and the environment. ❋ Unknown (1984)

Thomas was the first to make fruitful use of the term attitude, which he defined as a «tendency to act.» ❋ Robert Ezra Park (1926)

What they miss out on with this attitude is the joy that results from the effort. ❋ Unknown (2009)

He contrasts this with «destructively arrogant,» which he defines as an attitude that lacks empathy and reeks of insolence and vanity. ❋ M.D. Richard C. Senelick (2012)

And one other thing while I am at it, Sir, your attitude is the exact reason I left Ohio to return the Chattanooga after 2 years. ❋ Unknown (2009)

This attitude is accepted by all the others; forsooth, he is indeed a great man and master. ❋ Unknown (2010)

I think this attitude is an immense barrier to entry. ❋ Unknown (2009)

I think this attitude is the problem, and not economics or some union. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Yes, I love myself; and yes, my attitude is a notch or two above [email protected]#$%!. ❋ Unknown (2009)

But this attitude is the very opposite of what feminist is supposed to be about. ❋ Unknown (2009)

This attitude is all the more pronounced in those who hold leadership positions in the gay rights movement, as their life’s work depends upon the notion that we are always and everywhere oppressed. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Among West Indian and African families here in the US the attitude is the same. ❋ Unknown (2008)

Seriously their attitude is the selfsame thing as led to residential schools. ❋ Unknown (2008)

To be honest, Steve, your attitude is an emotional response which is not too unlike the unthinking emotional reactions of most criminals on July 24, 2008 at 3: 31 pm | Reply bobby ❋ Inspector Gadget (2008)

This attitude is the one that separates all of us daily regardless of whether it is an election year. ❋ Unknown (2008)

[parent]: «[how was your day] [billy]?»
billy «it was fin-»
parent «iS tHaT AtTiTudE i HeaR?!?» ❋ Deathisinnevitable (2019)

[Stood] in a [graceful] attitude ❋ Rishabh (2005)

[Jill] [sometimes] have an [attitude problem]. ❋ Gerard Irick (2009)

No one likes either [Sue] or her husband George, its because of their attitude. She walks in the room with her [sun] glasses and you could tell she had a [snotty] attitude. ❋ M.A (2006)

Jerry: Man, I will never be able to find a good job!
Paul: [Not with that attitude], you won’t!
Lisa: I’ll never get John to give me a [Las Vegas Chainsaw]!
[Jennifer]: Not with that attitude! ❋ Unkle_ruckus (2010)

[I don’t] have an [attitude problem] , It’s just that you can’t [handle] my personality ❋ Ba Baji (2014)

That [hoochie] is so attitudal…
[Carly]: She’s such a [skankrow]
Amanda: Girl, you’re so attitudal ❋ HoochieGirl (2005)

Attitude!
[It’s all] about the attitude, I don’t care if we win or [lose it’s] ALL ABOUT THE ATTITUDE!
If you want to play with the ball, go to soccer, this is football, again [it’s all] about the attitude! ❋ FRESHMAN FB 08 (2008)

Bitches with no [titties] be having the worst [attitude] [like damn] thought you got everything off your chest ❋ Janae Mcdan (2022)

[Parent]: Why you always got a attitude with me
Any kid:[Bc] you always starting [some bullshit] ❋ JBCTKC (2018)

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈætɪˌtjuːd/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈætɪtud/, [ˈæɾɪtud]
• (Pakistan) IPA^(key): /ˈɛːtɪtˌjuːd/

Noun[edit]

attitude (countable and uncountable, plural attitudes)

1. The position of the body or way of carrying oneself.

   • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 145:

     The lamp stood on the table, and Carrara leant by the huge tome spread out before him; and opposite sat Beatrice, bending over her broidery—the small head, with its rich knot of gathered hair, so exquisitely placed—the slender figure, so graceful in its attitude.

   Synonyms: posture, stance

   The ballet dancer walked with a graceful attitude.

2. (figurative) Disposition or state of mind.

   Don’t give me your negative attitude.

   You’ve got a nice attitude today.

3. (Canada, US, UK, informal) Unpleasant behavior.

   He doesn’t take attitude from anybody.

   I asked the waiter for a clean fork and all I got was attitude.

   • 2004, “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, performed by Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell Williams:

     And if a nigga get a attitude / Pop it like it’s hot

4. (aeronautics, nautical, engineering) The orientation of a vehicle or other object relative to the horizon, direction of motion, other objects, etc.

   Synonyms: trim, orientation

   The airliner had to land with a nose-up attitude after the incident.

   • 1982, Thomas Charles Gillmer, Bruce Johnson, Introduction to naval architecture, page 286:

     The stern planes are located well aft of the center of gravity of the submarine and their primary purpose is attitude (trim) control

   • 1997, Paul J. Ciolino, Grace Elting Castle, Advanced Forensic Civil Investigations, page 109:

     Scratches should be closely analyzed to determine the attitudes of the boats at the time of initial contact.

   • 1999, Smart Materials Structures of Systems, →ISBN, page 307:

     The main aim of the development of the smart antenna model is to stabilize attitude of the antenna which is mounted on a platform or host structure.

5. (ballet) A position similar to arabesque, but with the raised leg bent at the knee.
   • 2007, Gayle Kassing, History of Dance: An Interactive Arts Approach, page 134,

     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.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Verb[edit]

attitude (third-person singular simple present attitudes, present participle attituding, simple past and past participle attituded)

1. To assume or to place in a particular position or orientation; to pose.
   • 1823, Felix M’Donogh, The Hermit Abroad, Volume 1, page 122,

     […] 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; […]

   • 1837, William E. Burton, The Gentleman’s Magazine, Volume 1, page 123,

     Attituded like an inspired curling-tongs, leaning back heavily on his right leg, and throwing forward his left, his arm elevated to a level with his shoulder, the clenched fist grasping a brush that might have been available in […]

   • 1971, American Astronautical Society, Advances in Astronautical Sciences, Volume 29, Part 2, page 395,

     The attituded control gyro package, electronics, APS gas supply, and the preentry electronics are mounted internally, and are distributed circumferentially at the major ring.

2. To express an attitude through one’s posture, bearing, tone of voice, etc.
   • 2002, Wayne Normis, The Last Street Fighter, page 33,

     He attituded his way over to me, got up close, and just stood there looking at me, trying to appear threatening.

   • 2008, Yvonne Müller, «The Absentee»: an Interpretation — an Analysis of Maria Edgeworth’s Novel, page 12,

     The typical characteristic attituded toward the English is coldness.

   • 2010, R. Scott, Nine Months and a Year Later, page 82,

     I was really tripping, ’cause this nigga had the nerve to be attituded up when he was the one always doing something he had no business doing.

Further reading[edit]

• attitude in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “attitude”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Anagrams[edit]

• attuited

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Italian attitudine (“attitude, aptness”), from Medieval Latin aptitūdō (“aptitude”) (whence French aptitude) and actitūdō (“acting, posture”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /a.ti.tyd/

Noun[edit]

attitude f (plural attitudes)

1. attitude, position

Further reading[edit]

• “attitude”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.