disposition

UK: /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃ^ən/ US: /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/ ,(dis′pə zish′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•po•si•tion /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/   n. [countable]

1. the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits;
   characteristic attitude:
   a cheerful disposition.
2. state of mind regarding something;
   inclination:
   [~ + to + verb] a dangerous disposition to gamble.
3. arrangement or placing, such as of troops:
   the careful disposition of the remaining troops.
4. final settlement of a matter:
   What was the disposition of the case?
5. power to dispose of a thing;
   control:
   [usually singular] The foundation has funds at its disposition to aid colleges.

See -pos-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•po•si•tion  (dis′pə zish′ən), n. 

1. the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits;
   natural mental and emotional outlook or mood;
   characteristic attitude:
   a girl with a pleasant disposition.
2. state of mind regarding something;
   inclination:
   a disposition to gamble.
3. physical inclination or tendency:
   the disposition of ice to melt when heated.
4. arrangement or placing, as of troops or buildings.
5. final settlement of a matter.
6. bestowal, as by gift or sale.
7. power to dispose of a thing;
   control:
   funds at one's disposition.
8. regulation;
   management;
   dispensation:
   the disposition of God.

• Latin dispositiōn- (stem of dispositiō), equivalent. to disposit(us) (past participle of dispōnere to distribute; dispos- (see dispose) + -itus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English disposicioun (1325–75

dis′po•si′tion•al, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. nature, character, humor.
  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.
• 2. bent, tendency, predisposition, proclivity.
• 4. order, grouping, location, placement.
• 5. outcome, result.
• 7. control, direction.

Antonyms

• 2. unwillingness.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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. another word for disposal2, , ,
4. manner of placing or arranging