Words / C1

LAT-it-yood/ˈlætɪtjuːd/

Latitude is freedom to decide how to act: allow some latitude, wide latitude. Also the geography sense (degrees north or south). Freedom and leeway are everyday; attitude is a lookalike. Longitude is the east–west pair. Do not grant latitude that the published rubric has already removed.

Meaning

Freedom to choose how to act; also the distance north or south of the equator.

Examples

• “Tutors had little latitude once the rubric was published.”
• “Leeway is everyday. Attitude is a posture of mind. Longitude is the other map line. Geographical latitude is a coordinate. “Use your latitude” is not permission to ignore ethics.”

Good to know

Room for judgement; also a map line. Everyday: leeway / freedom. Pair: longitude. Mix-up: attitude. A published rule removes latitude.

Near in meaning

leeway

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