Disposition refers to a person's usual mood, attitude, or way of behaving. Someone with a cheerful disposition tends to be upbeat and positive most of the time, while someone with a grumpy disposition often seems irritable or cranky. Your disposition is like your emotional default setting: the way you naturally tend to respond to situations.

You can see disposition in how people handle everyday challenges. A student with a calm disposition might stay relaxed when facing a difficult test, while someone with an anxious disposition might worry intensely. A person with a generous disposition looks for ways to help others, while someone with a suspicious disposition tends to distrust other people's motives.

The word comes from how we're “disposed,” or inclined, to act. Think of it like a compass that usually points in a certain direction. Your friend with a curious disposition asks lots of questions. Your sister with a competitive disposition turns everything into a contest. A dog with a friendly disposition wags its tail at strangers.

Disposition isn't the same as a temporary mood. Everyone has bad days, but your disposition is your general tendency over time. Understanding your own disposition helps you recognize your strengths and work on areas where you'd like to grow.