What does attitude mean?
Attitude refers to a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something — a mental stance that tends to show itself in behaviour. A person might have a positive attitude toward change, a hostile attitude toward criticism, or a relaxed attitude to deadlines. The word also covers physical orientation: dancers and artists once used it for a pose of the body, and in aviation it describes the angle of an aircraft relative to the horizon. In everyday informal speech, saying someone 'has attitude' suggests confidence or defiance, often with a hint of disapproval. Derived from Italian through French, the word entered English in the seventeenth century and shares its Latin root aptus ('fit, suited') with words like aptitude. Its flexibility — spanning psychology, body language, and aerospace — makes it one of those rare words equally at home in a self-help book and a pilot's manual.
A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically reflected in behaviour.
"Her attitude toward the new policy was openly sceptical."
Often followed by prepositions such as 'to', 'toward', or 'about'.
The orientation of an aircraft or spacecraft relative to the horizon, direction of travel, or a reference plane.
"The pilot adjusted the aircraft's attitude to climb more efficiently."
Informal: an assertive, confident, or defiant manner.
"He walked into the meeting with a bit of attitude."
Usually phrased as 'having attitude' or 'having an attitude'; the latter often implies rudeness.
Regular plural; commonly used when contrasting different people's outlooks or listing several opinions.
"Attitudes towards remote working have shifted dramatically over the past decade."
The word 'attitude' originally meant nothing more than how you posed your body — it took centuries before English decided your mind could strike a pose too.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of attitude
Attitude entered English in the early seventeenth century from French, which had borrowed it from Italian attitudine. The Italian word traces back to Late Latin aptitudo, derived from aptus, meaning 'fit' or 'suited'. Its earliest senses concerned posture or positioning of the body — hence its enduring use in art and, later, aviation — before extending figuratively to mental disposition. It shares its root with aptitude and related words built on aptus.
Related word forms
How attitude is actually used
In informal British and American usage, describing someone as 'having an attitude' usually implies a sassy or defiant demeanour and carries a mildly critical tone. In aviation, 'attitude' is a technical term with no psychological meaning at all.
Easily confused with attitude
Attitude is a mental stance or disposition; altitude is height above sea level.