Attitude Noun - Definition, Pictures, Pronunciation And Usage Notes

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Definition of attitude noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attitude noun OPAL WOPAL S  /ˈætɪtjuːd/  /ˈætɪtuːd/Idioms jump to other results

1.   [countable] the way that you think and feel about somebody/something; the way that you behave towards somebody/something that shows how you think and feel
   • attitude towards somebody/something These societies have to change their attitudes towards women.
   • the government’s attitude towards single parents
   • to have a positive/negative attitude towards somebody/something
   • attitude to somebody/something changes in public attitudes to marriage
   • attitude about something social attitudes about education
   • attitude on something changing attitudes on issues such as mental health
   • Youth is simply an attitude of mind.
   • If you want to pass your exams you'd better change your attitude!
   • If they can adopt that kind of attitude then the future looks very promising.
   • You're taking a pretty selfish attitude over this, aren't you?
   Wordfinder
   • action
   • approach
   • attitude
   • behaviour
   • conform
   • eccentric
   • etiquette
   • habit
   • manners
   • morality
   Extra Examples
   • He displayed a condescending attitude towards/​toward his co-workers.
   • The policy reflects a caring attitude towards/​toward employees.
   • I try to have a healthy, positive attitude to life.
   • The experience changed his attitude to religion.
   • The teachers seem to have a very relaxed attitude to discipline.
   • Her attitude to her parents has always been somewhat negative.
   • There has been a marked change in attitude towards marriage.
   • They are accused of taking a cavalier attitude towards their employees' safety.
   • Newspapers reflect social attitudes.
   • She seems to have the right attitude for the job.
   • We all need to show commitment and a can-do attitude.
   • Sometimes it's essential for doctors to cultivate a detached attitude.
   • The general attitude of the public is sympathetic.
   • His general attitude of hostility did not impress the jury.
   • I tend to take the attitude that it's best to leave well alone.
   • The political attitudes of young people are rarely taken seriously.
   • There are some major differences between British and American attitudes when it comes to the role of government.
   Topics Opinion and argumentb1Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • carefree
   • good
   • healthy
   • …
   verb + attitude
   • adopt
   • cultivate
   • have
   • …
   attitude + verb
   • exist
   • persist
   • prevail
   • …
   attitude + noun
   • problem
   • adjustment
   • shift
   • …
   preposition
   • attitude about
   • attitude of
   • attitude to
   • …
   phrases
   • a change in attitude
   • a change of attitude
   • with attitude
   • …
   See full entry

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2. [uncountable] confident, sometimes aggressive behaviour that shows you do not care about other people’s opinions and that you want to do things in an individual way
   • Don't give me any attitude!
   • with attitude a band with attitude
   Topics Personal qualitiesc1
3. [countable] (formal) a position of the body
   • in an attitude of something Her hands were folded in an attitude of prayer.
Word Originlate 17th cent. (denoting the placing or posture of a figure in art): from French, from Italian attitudine ‘fitness, posture’, from late Latin aptitudo, from aptus ‘fit’.

Idioms strike a pose/an attitude

1. to hold your body in a particular way to create a particular impression
   • to strike a dramatic pose
   • (figurative) He strikes an attitude of bravery and lonely defiance.

See attitude in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee attitude in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishCheck pronunciation: attitude

Other results

All matches

• attitude problem noun

Nearby words

• attire noun
• attired adjective
• attitude noun
• attitude problem noun
• attitudinal adjective

freeze verb From the Word list Oxford 3000 B1 Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day