Disposition
/ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe usual mood or temperament of someone; the way someone is inclined to behave.
/ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
A person's inherent qualities of mind and character.
Her cheerful disposition brightened the whole room.
💡 Simply: Think about your friend who's always happy – that's their good disposition! It’s like their personality shining through. Like, "Despite the bad weather, her cheerful disposition kept everyone's spirits up!"
👶 For kids: It's how a person usually feels or acts. If you're often happy, you have a happy disposition!
More Examples
He had a nervous disposition.
The judge took the defendant's kind disposition into account.
How It's Used
"His sunny disposition made him popular with everyone."
"The character's irritable disposition was a key element in the plot."
The act of dealing with something; or, an arrangement or settlement.
/ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
An act of giving something to someone else or a tendency toward something.
The court decided on the disposition of the estate.
💡 Simply: Imagine you’re deciding what to do with something. That act of deciding and carrying it out is a disposition. Like, "The company made a swift disposition of the old inventory." It's just like figuring out the "disposition" or destiny of the thing.
👶 For kids: What you do with something. Like, the way you set up your toys.
More Examples
The company made a quick disposition of the outdated products.
The will detailed the disposition of the family fortune.
How It's Used
"The court made a disposition of the property after the divorce."
"The disposition of company assets was discussed during the meeting."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
ill-disposed
Having an unfriendly or hostile attitude.
"He felt ill-disposed towards the new neighbors."
at someone's disposition
Available for use by someone.
"The car is at your disposition whenever you need it."
From Middle English, from Old French *disposicion*, from Latin *dispositio* ('arrangement, order'), from *disponere* ('to arrange').
The word 'disposition' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to an arrangement or order, and gradually expanding to encompass personality and temperament.
Memory tip
Think of a person's mental 'position' or stance towards life.
Word Origin
"to arrange, dispose of"