- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
  Log In

disposition

noun

dis·po·si·tionˌdi-spə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce disposition (audio)

Synonyms ofdisposition next

:prevailing tendency, mood, orinclination

:temperamentalmakeup

:the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances

:the act or the power ofdisposing or the state of being disposed: such as

:administration,control

:final arrangement:settlement

thedisposition of the case

c(1)

:transfer to the care or possession of another

(2)

:the power of such transferal

:orderly arrangement

dispositional

ˌdi-spə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce disposition (audio)

adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference betweendisposition andpredisposition?

Sometimesdisposition andpredisposition mean the same thing, and sometimes they do not. When refering to a person's usual mood or attitude you would speak of theirdisposition, not theirpredisposition. However, when referring to a person's tendency, or inclination, the two words are largely synonymous (one might have either a predisposition or a disposition towards being generous). An exception to this synonym comes in medical use, where it is far more common to usepredisposition (as in "a predisposition to nearsightedness").

What doesdisposition mean in court?

In legal use the worddisposition may have several possible meanings. It may refer to the sentence given to a convicted juvenile defendant, or to the final determination of a matter (such as a case or motion) by a court. It may also be defined as "transfer to the care, possession, or ownership of another" as well as "the power of such transferal."

What doesdisposition mean in business?

In business,disposition may refer either to "the transfer of property from one to another by any of various means including gift, barter, sale, or will" or to “the plan for or method by which such a transfer is executed.”

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Choose the Right Synonym fordisposition

disposition,temperament,temper,character,personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group.

disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerfuldisposition

temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

an artistictemperament

temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilienttemper

character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength ofcharacter

personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somberpersonality

Examples ofdisposition in a Sentence

They move jerkily, like puppets, but have a happydisposition; 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 indisposition, 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, depressivedisposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive.—

Monroe K. Spears,American Ambitions,1987

Her easydisposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings.—

John Edgar Wideman,Bothers and Keepers,1984

a dog with an excellentdisposition Herdisposition was to always think negatively. He has adisposition toward criminal behavior. people with a geneticdisposition toward a particular disease A will is a legal document that is used in thedisposition of property.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage.Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.Send us feedback.

Thedispositionof the case against the boy was not immediately clear.—

Rocco Parascandola,New York Daily News, 6 May 2025Thedispositionof the cart and the boy before Patel’s reach – including whether the child might have been falling and whether the cart clipped anything – is indiscernible because Patel’s back obscures both from the camera.—

Chris Boyette,CNN Money, 4 May 2025In what appeared to be his unfiltered take, Carter suggested Sanders sacrificed tens of millions of dollars due to hisdispositionand overall handling leading up to last week's draft.—

Chantz Martin,FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025Surrounded and protected by the lagoon that separates Argentario from the mainland, this amiable town feels like Madrid’s little Tuscan twin, with its sunnydisposition, well developed café culture, and houses in every shade of ocher.—

Lee Marshall,Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025See All Example Sentences fordisposition