a mean disposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mean disposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's character or temperament, indicating that they are unkind or unpleasant. Example: "Despite her charming appearance, she had a mean disposition that made it difficult for others to befriend her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Breslin was the quintessential blue-collar guy with a mean disposition and an even meaner sense of justice for the working man.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Carter came back with a meaner disposition, a player who got in your face if he felt you were trying to undercut him.

The New York Times - Sports

According to Erpenbeck and Sauter (2013), Shavelson (2011) and Erpenbeck and Rosenstiel (2003), we consider competence being a capability, that means a disposition to act in complex, dynamic and unpredictable situations on basis of self-organization.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Since Aristotle treats all individual virtues as (learned dispositions) lying in a mean between extremes (courage, e. g., is between cowardice and foolhardiness), he also doesn't think it is virtuous to take less than one's fair share of things (though the issue is somewhat complicated for him).

SEP

By the 19th century, emphasis on the negative aspects of Cynic philosophy led to the modern understanding of cynicism to mean a disposition of disbelief in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions.

Wikipedia

Disposition of restorations A total of 90 ART restorations were placed in 90 students: 57 males and 33 females, having a mean age of 14.6 years.

Clinical Oral Investigations

The logical interpretant is a modification of a person's habits, "habit" used pragmatically by Peirce to mean a tendency or disposition to a certain manner or style of acting.

SEP

Now the wealth, of course, was of very slight consequence to Tarquin, but the demand for it was at once a test of the people's disposition and a means of instigating treachery among them.

University of Chicago

The four humors were a means of analyzing a person's disposition as well as her physical, mental, and emotional health.

Duke University

Order means a final disposition, other than the issuance of a rule, issued by DOE pursuant to these regulations or the Act.

Cornell University

Automated visual sentiment analysis tools can provide a means of extracting the rich feelings and latent dispositions embedded in these media.

Image and Vision Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "a mean disposition" to subtly reveal their inner nature without explicitly stating they are evil. This can create a more nuanced and believable portrayal.

Common error

Avoid using "a mean disposition" as a generic descriptor. Instead, provide specific examples of the person's behavior to illustrate their unkindness more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mean disposition" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically serves to characterize an individual's inherent nature or temperament, indicating a tendency toward unkindness or unpleasantness. Ludwig confirms its validity in English writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

26%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mean disposition" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone with an unkind or unpleasant nature. While relatively rare, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, consider providing specific examples to illustrate the person's behavior and avoid overuse in simple descriptions. Alternatives such as "unpleasant demeanor" or "unkind nature" can be used for variety. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and provides examples of its usage in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpleasant demeanor

Replaces "disposition" with "demeanor", focusing on outward behavior rather than inherent nature.

unkind nature

Substitutes "mean" with "unkind" and "disposition" with "nature", emphasizing a lack of kindness.

cruel temperament

Replaces "mean" with "cruel" and "disposition" with "temperament", highlighting a harsh and unforgiving nature.

nasty character

Uses "nasty" instead of "mean" and "character" instead of "disposition", focusing on the overall moral quality.

sour disposition

Employs "sour" to describe the disposition, suggesting bitterness or resentment.

ill-tempered nature

Replaces both "mean" and "disposition" to denote an irritable and easily angered personality.

harsh temperament

Focuses on the severity and inflexibility of the person's temperament.

aggressive personality

Shifts the focus to an aggressive and confrontational style.

vindictive character

Highlights a tendency towards seeking revenge.

callous nature

Emphasizes a lack of empathy and concern for others.

FAQs

How can I use "a mean disposition" in a sentence?

You can use "a mean disposition" to describe someone's inherent nature. For example: "Despite her outward charm, she possessed "a mean disposition" that alienated most people."

What are some alternatives to "a mean disposition"?

Alternatives include "unpleasant demeanor", "unkind nature", or "cruel temperament". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say someone has "a mean and cruel disposition"?

Yes, saying "a mean and cruel disposition" can be redundant, as "mean" and "cruel" have similar meanings. It's better to choose one or the other, or find a more specific adjective.

What is the difference between "a mean disposition" and "a bad attitude"?

"A mean disposition" refers to a more ingrained, fundamental aspect of someone's personality, while "a bad attitude" is often situational and temporary.