Meaning & use

attribute

noun·Academic

A quality or characteristic that belongs to or is typical of a person or thing.

See it in a sentence

Patience is an important attribute for anyone working with young children.

Honesty is the attribute she admires most in a close friend.

A note on using this word

As a verb (stressed on the second syllable), "attribute" means to credit something to a particular cause, source, or person.

Words with a similar meaning

qualitytraitcharacteristic

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To regard something as being caused by or belonging to a particular source.

She always attributed her success to years of steady daily practice.

Make it your own

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