disposition
gb/dˌɪspəzˈɪʃən/ us/dˌɪspəzˈɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 9300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
a person's usual mood/character
The normal way someone is, especially their usual mood and how they behave most of the time.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a [adjective] disposition
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "disposition" with "mood." "Disposition" is more stable and long-term (your usual way of being), while "mood" is temporary (how you feel right now). They also sometimes write "*good disposed" instead of "good-natured" or "of a good disposition."
Synonyms
temperament (Very close in meaning, often used in more formal or psychological contexts.)
Antonyms
instability (Highlights the lack of a steady, predictable mood or character that a disposition implies.)
Collocations
a cheerful disposition
|a sunny disposition
|a quiet disposition
|a gentle disposition
|of a nervous disposition
|an easygoing disposition
Themes
personality
|emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her sunny disposition makes her very easy to work with.
- Despite his serious expression, he has a kind and patient disposition.
- The job requires someone with a calm disposition who can handle stress.
- People of a nervous disposition may find the film disturbing.
- His naturally optimistic disposition helped him get through difficult times.
Learner examples
- She has a friendly disposition and smiles a lot.
- His quiet disposition is different from his loud brother.
- The teacher has a strict disposition in class.
- My grandfather has a warm disposition and loves to talk.
- Because of her shy disposition, she does not like big parties.
Noun
B2
entity
2
a tendency or inclination
A usual tendency to do something or to feel something in a certain way.
Usage pattern:
a disposition to/toward [verb/noun]
Common mistake:
Learners often say "*tend to disposition" instead of using the correct pattern "have a disposition to…" or "a disposition toward…". They also confuse "disposition" with "disposal" (e.g., writing "*a disposition of waste" instead of "disposal of waste").
Synonyms
tendency (Broader and more common; slightly less formal and can be used in more casual contexts.)
Antonyms
aversion (Emphasizes an active dislike or resistance, the opposite of being inclined toward something.)
Collocations
a disposition to help others
|a disposition to worry
|a disposition toward violence
|genetic disposition
|a disposition to depression
|political disposition
Themes
psychology
|personality
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He has a strong disposition to help others, even when it costs him time and money.
- Some people have a genetic disposition toward high blood pressure.
- Her disposition to worry makes it hard for her to relax on vacation.
- The report noted a worrying disposition toward risk-taking among young drivers.
- The therapy aims to change a criminal disposition into more prosocial behavior.
Learner examples
- She has a disposition to speak very quickly.
- He shows a disposition toward anger when he is tired.
- Some children have a disposition to cry easily.
- My family has a disposition to gain weight.
- He has a disposition to save money, not to spend it.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
arrangement of things or people
The planned way things or people are placed or arranged in a space.
Usage pattern:
the disposition of [things/people] in [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning is about "mood" or "personality" because of the more common sense. In this formal meaning, "disposition" refers only to how things or people are placed, often in technical, military, or architectural contexts.
Synonyms
arrangement (More general and common; less formal and can refer to non-spatial ordering as well.)
Antonyms
disorder (Suggests a lack of ordered arrangement where a planned disposition is expected.)
Collocations
the disposition of furniture
|the disposition of troops
|the spatial disposition of buildings
|the disposition of rooms
|a defensive disposition of forces
|the disposition of seating
Themes
design
|military
|planning
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The architect explained the disposition of the rooms around a central courtyard.
- Commanders discussed the disposition of troops along the border.
- The seating disposition in the hall was changed to allow more people to attend.
- The garden’s calm feeling comes from the thoughtful disposition of trees and paths.
- The report included a map showing the disposition of enemy forces.
Learner examples
- The disposition of chairs in the room was in a circle.
- We talked about the disposition of desks in the new office.
- The general planned the disposition of his soldiers on the hill.
- The manager changed the disposition of tables in the restaurant.
- The map shows the disposition of the buildings on campus.
Noun
technical
C1
event
4
final outcome of a legal matter
The official final result of a legal case or charge, for example when it is closed, dismissed, or the person is found guilty.
Usage pattern:
the disposition of [a case/charge/appeal]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the everyday sense of "mood" or with "decision." In legal writing, "disposition" refers specifically to how a case or charge is finally handled or closed, not just any opinion or choice.
Synonyms
settlement (Often refers specifically to an agreement between parties; "disposition" is broader and covers any final outcome.)
Antonyms
continuation (If a case is continued or remains open, it has not yet reached disposition.)
Collocations
the disposition of the case
|case disposition
|disposition of charges
|summary disposition
|final disposition
|disposition hearing
Themes
law
|government
|business
Examples
- The court will schedule a hearing to determine the final disposition of the case.
- The report listed the disposition of all charges filed that year.
- Because there was insufficient evidence, the disposition of the complaint was dismissal.
- The prosecutor announced the disposition of the matter at a press conference.
- Each arrest record must show the ultimate disposition of the charge.
Learner examples
- The lawyer told her the disposition of the case was not final yet.
- The judge wrote the disposition of the charge in the court file.
- Police records must show the disposition of every arrest.
- After many months, the disposition of the case was an agreement.
- The newspaper reported the disposition of the trial on the front page.
Noun
technical
C1
action
5
transfer or disposal of property
The act of selling, giving, or moving property or money to someone else, especially in law or business.
Usage pattern:
the disposition of [assets/property/funds]
Common mistake:
Learners often mix up "disposition" and "disposal." "Disposal" is more common for everyday waste (e.g., garbage disposal), while in legal and financial texts "disposition" is standard for how property or assets are sold, given, or otherwise dealt with.
Synonyms
transfer (Focuses on moving something from one owner to another; "disposition" also includes selling or getting rid of something entirely.)
Antonyms
acquisition (Refers to obtaining property or assets, the opposite of disposing of or transferring them away.)
Collocations
the disposition of assets
|the disposition of property
|asset disposition
|disposition of funds
|disposition of the estate
|disposition of surplus equipment
Themes
business
|law
|finance
Examples
- The will outlines the disposition of her property after her death.
- The company must report the disposition of its assets to shareholders.
- Regulations govern the disposition of surplus government equipment.
- The lawyer advised them on the tax consequences of asset disposition.
- The trust document specifies the disposition of funds if the beneficiary dies first.
Learner examples
- The contract explains the disposition of the house after divorce.
- The bank asked about the disposition of the loan money.
- New rules control the disposition of old company computers.
- He spoke to a lawyer about the disposition of his estate.
- The report shows the disposition of all company cars last year.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disposition
IPA
GB/dˌɪspəzˈɪʃən/
US/dˌɪspəzˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
dis - pos - i - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (i)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: disposition
- Plural: disposition, dispositions
Word family
Forms
dispositions
noun
Related words
disposable
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
dispositional
adjective
predispose
verb
predisposition
noun
Expressions
of a nervous disposition
1/əv ə nˈɚvəs dˌɪspəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
having a naturally anxious character
Used to describe someone who is usually worried, easily scared, or easily upset.
Examples
- This movie is not suitable for people of a nervous disposition.
- The warning at the start of the show advised viewers of a nervous disposition to look away.
- He is of a nervous disposition and hates loud noises.