# attitude

/ˈætəˌtud/ (US) · /ˈætɪtjˌuːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/attitude
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. state of mind

noun · CEFR B1

the way you think or feel about something.

For teachers: a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behaviour.

- If you have a positive attitude, you will enjoy your new job much more.
- The survey revealed that public attitudes toward renewable energy have shifted significantly over the last decade.

Usage: Often used with the prepositions 'to' or 'towards'.

### 2. rude behavior

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a rude or confident way of acting that shows you do not care about others.

For teachers: a confrontational, arrogant, or uncooperative manner. Often used in the phrase 'to have an attitude'.

- Don't give me that attitude just because I asked you to clean your room.
- The waiter's dismissive attitude eventually prompted the customers to leave a formal complaint with the manager.

Teaching tip: This is often used by parents or teachers to describe a child being difficult or talking back.

### 3. physical position

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

the way you hold your body when standing or sitting.

For teachers: the position of the body or a way of carrying oneself; a posture.

- The statue showed a man in a proud attitude with his head held high.
- The dancer maintained a graceful attitude throughout the performance, even during the most physically demanding sequences.

### 4. spatial orientation

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the position of a plane or ship in relation to the ground or the horizon.

For teachers: the orientation of an aircraft, spacecraft, or ship relative to a frame of reference, such as the horizon or the direction of motion.

- The pilot adjusted the plane's attitude to prepare for landing.
- The satellite's attitude control system malfunctioned, causing it to drift away from its intended orbital alignment.

Usage: Common in aerospace and nautical engineering contexts.

### 5. to strike a pose

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to move or pose in a way that shows a certain feeling.

For teachers: to assume a particular physical position or to express a mental state through one's posture and bearing.

- The actors began to attitude on stage to show their characters' emotions.
- He spent the evening attituding before the guests, desperate to appear more sophisticated than he actually was.

## Examples

- He has a very positive attitude toward his work.
- The manager noticed a change in the team's attitude after the new project goals were announced.
- While individual skills are vital for the role, the hiring committee prioritises a collaborative attitude, believing that technical gaps are easier to bridge than personality conflicts.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.