disposition
noun
dis·po·si·tion ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən 
1
a
: prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination
b
: temperamental makeup
c
: the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances
2
: the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: such as
a
: administration, control
b
: final arrangement : settlement
the disposition of the case
c(1)
: transfer to the care or possession of another
(2)
: the power of such transferal
d
: orderly arrangement
dispositional
ˌdi-spə-ˈzish-nəl
adjective -ˈzi-shə-nᵊl
Synonyms
- grain
- nature
- temper
- temperament
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They move jerkily, like puppets, but have a happy disposition; they are perpetually smiling and are given to frequent paroxysms of laughter. 
Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999 … the eight species of wild equids (horses and their relatives) vary greatly in disposition, even though all eight are genetically so close to each other that they will interbreed and produce healthy (though usually sterile) offspring. Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997 His father, Increase [Mather], with all his faults—his sour, depressive disposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive. Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987 Her easy disposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings. John Edgar Wideman, Bothers and Keepers, 1984 a dog with an excellent disposition Her disposition was to always think negatively. He has a disposition toward criminal behavior. people with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease A will is a legal document that is used in the disposition of property. See More
Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999 … the eight species of wild equids (horses and their relatives) vary greatly in disposition, even though all eight are genetically so close to each other that they will interbreed and produce healthy (though usually sterile) offspring. Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997 His father, Increase [Mather], with all his faults—his sour, depressive disposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive. Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987 Her easy disposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings. John Edgar Wideman, Bothers and Keepers, 1984 a dog with an excellent disposition Her disposition was to always think negatively. He has a disposition toward criminal behavior. people with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease A will is a legal document that is used in the disposition of property. See More Recent Examples on the Web But the man has not been charged, and records also show his arrest disposition as insufficient grounds for a criminal complaint, with no court date listed. Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 The following day my chipper disposition met the thundering craniums of my shipmates, who may have imbibed a good deal more than I. Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 28 Aug. 2022 The move comes as CNN is retooling its on-air disposition. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Aug. 2022 His disposition is always set to sunny. Until lately. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 If a tenant or guest moves out, leaving belongings behind, specific rules must be followed for their disposition. Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2022 Known for his gentle disposition and uncanny intuition, Casper, a golden retriever and yellow Labrador mix, began his career at Children’s in September 2009 as the hospital’s first four-legged employee. Helena Oliviero, ajc, 11 July 2022 Having largely prohibited the resolution of student loans in bankruptcy subjects its ultimate disposition to political caprice. Richard J. Shinder, WSJ, 10 May 2022 Without disposition records, the FBI has to contact local law enforcement and courts to learn more — all while the three-business-day clock is ticking. Joshua Eaton, NBC News, 8 July 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 The following day my chipper disposition met the thundering craniums of my shipmates, who may have imbibed a good deal more than I. Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 28 Aug. 2022 The move comes as CNN is retooling its on-air disposition. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Aug. 2022 His disposition is always set to sunny. Until lately. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 If a tenant or guest moves out, leaving belongings behind, specific rules must be followed for their disposition. Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2022 Known for his gentle disposition and uncanny intuition, Casper, a golden retriever and yellow Labrador mix, began his career at Children’s in September 2009 as the hospital’s first four-legged employee. Helena Oliviero, ajc, 11 July 2022 Having largely prohibited the resolution of student loans in bankruptcy subjects its ultimate disposition to political caprice. Richard J. Shinder, WSJ, 10 May 2022 Without disposition records, the FBI has to contact local law enforcement and courts to learn more — all while the three-business-day clock is ticking. Joshua Eaton, NBC News, 8 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin disposition-, dispositio, from disponere — see dispose entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
disposition
noun
dis·po·si·tion ˌdis-pə-ˈzi-shən
1
: a person's usual attitude or mood
His disposition had been … sour lately. Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Mildred D. Taylor, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry2
: tendency sense 1, liking
She has a disposition to complain.
3
: arrangement sense 1
Legal Definition
disposition
noun
dis·po·si·tion
1
a
: the final determination of a matter (as a case or motion) by a court or quasi-judicial tribunal
the beneficiary of such a disposition of charges against him United States v. Smith, 354 A.2d 510 (1976)
compare decision, holding, judgment, opinion, ruling, verdict United States v. Smith, 354 A.2d 510 (1976) b
: the sentence given to a convicted criminal defendant
probation is often a desirable disposition W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel also : the sentence given to or treatment prescribed for a juvenile offender
2
: transfer to the care, possession, or ownership of another
to either a surviving spouse or a charity, those dispositions are totally exonerated from the payment of taxes Matter of McKinney, 477 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1984)
Matter of McKinney, 477 N.Y.S.2d 367 (1984) also : the power of such transferral
3
: the state or condition of being predisposed : predisposition
disposition
noun
1
as in temperament
one's characteristic attitude or mood he has a cheerful disposition and is very rarely depressed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- temperament
- temper
- attitude
- nature
- personality
- outlook
- spirit
- mind
- grain
- inclination
- heart
- opinion
- conviction
- habit
- viewpoint
- mode
- judgment
- perspective
- standpoint
- belief
- humor
- view
- tone
- emotion
- feeling
- frame
- angle
- sentiment
- expression
- mind-set
- persuasion
- sensitivity
- responsiveness
- slant
- judgement
- sensitiveness
- identity
- sensibility
- character
- cheer
- individuality
- vein
- notion
- setup
- strain
- passion
- makeup
- selfhood
- mettle
- self-identity
2
as in inclination
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing a woman with a disposition to fuss about trivial matters Synonyms & Similar Words
- inclination
- aptitude
- tendency
- devices
- affinity
- affection
- predisposition
- impulse
- predilection
- proclivity
- propensity
- knack
- bias
- preference
- partiality
- leaning
- habitude
- bent
- penchant
- talent
- appetite
- addiction
- bone
- turn
- gift
- genius
- prejudice
- flair
- liking
- taste
- endowment
- partisanship
- fondness
- faculty
- like
- favor
- practice
- habit
- idiosyncrasy
- peculiarity
- one-sidedness
- eccentricity
- pattern
- specialty
- routine
- quirk
- speciality
- custom
- convention
- fancy
- singularity
- forte
- way
- practise
- oddity
- wont
- trick
- kink
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- distaste
- detachment
- aversion
- dislike
- disinclination
- indifference
- neutrality
- allergy
- impartiality
- objectivity
- averseness
- disfavor
- disliking
- nonchalance
- disrelish
- disinterestedness
- unconcern
- apathy
- insouciance
3
as in removal
the getting rid of whatever is unwanted or useless we'll have to find some means for the disposition of all of this junk Synonyms & Similar Words
- removal
- disposal
- dumping
- discarding
- riddance
- scrapping
- throwing away
- clearance
- demolition
- jettison
- destruction
- junking
- clearing
- decimation
- demolishment
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- acquisition
- collection
- accumulation
- deposit
- acquirement
- gathering
4
as in sequence
the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another planned the disposition of events at her wedding with a precision that military commanders would envy Synonyms & Similar Words
- sequence
- arrangement
- disposal
- distribution
- ordering
- order
- setup
- layout
- array
- continuity
- chain
- procession
- succession
- precedence
- priority
- structure
- design
- progression
- alignment
- series
- system
- pattern
- aligning
- alinement
- alining
- lining up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disorder
- disruption
- confusion
- disorganization
- upset
- disconnection
- disjointedness
5
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken all that remains is a disposition regarding the custody of the two children Synonyms & Similar Words
- agreement
- convention
- understanding
- pact
- settlement
- contract
- deal
- bargain
- promise
- compact
- covenant
- accord
- association
- treaty
- pledge
- partnership
- acceptance
- approval
- binder
- charter
- consent
- concurrence
- assent
- alliance
- entente
- entente cordiale
- league
- okay
- OK
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of disposition are character, personality, temperament, and temper. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.
a cheerful disposition
While the synonyms character and disposition are close in meaning, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.
strength of character
The words personality and disposition are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.
a somber personality
While in some cases nearly identical to disposition, temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.
a resilient temper
The words temperament and disposition can be used in similar contexts, but temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.
an artistic temperament