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

attitude

noun
 
/ˈætɪtjuːd/
 
/ˈætɪtuːd/
Idioms
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  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?
    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 argumentb1
    Oxford 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
  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.
  4. 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 English

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