disposition

[ dis-puh-zish-uhn ]

noun

1. the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude:

   I'd like to thank the general manager for his hospitality, kindness, and always cheerful disposition.

   Synonyms: humor, temperament, makeup, nature

2. state of mind regarding something; inclination:

   a disposition to gamble.

   Synonyms: proclivity, predisposition, tendency, bent

3. physical inclination or tendency:

   the disposition of ice to melt when heated.

4. arrangement or placing, as of troops or buildings:

   Strategists came to the conference with divergent views regarding the best disposition of Allied forces.

   Synonyms: placement, arrangement, grouping, order

5. final settlement of a matter, especially of a legal matter:

   The accused was detained for seven months while awaiting disposition of his case.

   In the event that we receive a formal complaint, we reserve the right to suspend service pending final disposition of the matter.

   Synonyms: result, outcome

6. bestowal or transfer of care or ownership, as by a gift, sale, or bequest:

   The patient expressed her intentions regarding the disposition of certain pieces of her property upon her death, including the farm scene painting.

7. the disposal or discarding of something, or the power to make decisions about use or disposal:

   The final decision on the disposition of the deceased's body or remains belongs with the family.

   Synonyms: administration

8. regulation; management; dispensation:

   the disposition of God.

disposition

/ ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. a person's usual temperament or frame of mind
2. a natural or acquired tendency, inclination, or habit in a person or thing
3. See disposal
   another word for disposal disposal disposal disposal
4. See occurrent
   philosophy logic a property that consists not in the present state of an object, but in its propensity to change in a certain way under certain conditions, as brittleness which consists in the propensity to break when struck Compare occurrent
5. archaic.
   manner of placing or arranging

Derived Forms

• ˌdispoˈsitional, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·po·si·tion·al adjective
• re·dis·po·si·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disposition¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English disposicioun, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin dispositiōn- (stem of dispositiō ), equivalent to disposit(us) (past participle of dispōnere “to distribute”; dispos- ( dispose ) + -itus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Synonym Study

Disposition, temper, temperament refer to the aspects and habits of mind and emotion that one displays over a length of time. Disposition is the natural or prevailing aspect of one's mind as shown in behavior and in relationships with others: a happy disposition; a selfish disposition. Temper sometimes denotes the essential quality of one's nature: a glacial temper; usually it has to do with propensity toward anger: an even temper; a quick or hot temper. Temperament refers to the particular balance of emotions determining a person's character: an artistic temperament.

Example Sentences

These interactions have shaped everything about llamas, from the length and color of their wool to their dispositions and reproductive habits.

From No Straight News

In “Far From Home,” Scott Gurian, a former public radio reporter, roams the earth with his recording equipment, passport and unflappable disposition — he rarely gets rattled, even when his radiator tank springs a leak in Iran.

From Washington Post

He brought the friendly, self-effacing, and easygoing disposition of a native Californian and little more.

From Fortune

This form of disposition has been proven to destroy coronaviruses by heat in a really relatively short period of time.

From MIT Technology Review

Emergencies can prop up at any moment, requiring a very calm disposition even when your life and your crewmates’ lives are at stake.

From MIT Technology Review

Unfortunately, his cheerful disposition only gets him so far.

From The Daily Beast

So far, neither America nor Europe has shown much disposition to bear the inevitable costs of inflicting pain on Russia.

From The Daily Beast

His moving speeches and dynamic disposition make this an accurate and engaging Civil War piece.

From The Daily Beast

I'm expecting his charming disposition to crack and become littered with trash talk, but I'm wrong.

From The Daily Beast

Wearing a headscarf and a relaxed disposition, Nadda looked barely old enough to be in college.

From The Daily Beast

There are some folk in this country, you know, who manifest a very retiring disposition at times.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only do children thus of themselves extend the scope of our commands, they show a disposition to make rules for themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

Their discipline is admirable, but their natural disposition is likewise quiet and inoffensive.

From Project Gutenberg

His disposition was to trust those around him, and his generous confidence was usually justified.

From Project Gutenberg

Two duties at least are, therefore, obligatory on him then;—to seek a disposition willingly to vow, and then to make the vow.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frame of mind
• habit
• inclination
• mood
• personality
• predisposition
• propensity
• temper
• tendency
• tone