attribute
noun (countable)
UK/əˈtrɪb.juːt/US/əˈtrɪb.jut/
The act of regarding something as being caused by someone or something.
Example Sentences
They attributed the success of the project to the team's hard work.
She attributed his rude behavior to stress.
The scientists attributed the results to experimental error.
He attributed his good health to regular exercise.
The author attributed her inspiration to her travels.
They attributed the company's growth to effective management.
She attributed the delay to unforeseen circumstances.
The economists attributed the inflation to increased demand.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/əˈtrɪb.juːt/US/əˈtrɪb.jut/
To regard something as being caused by someone or something.
Example Sentences
They attributed the success of the project to the team's hard work.
She attributed his rude behavior to stress.
The scientists attributed the results to experimental error.
He attributed his good health to regular exercise.
The author attributed her inspiration to her travels.
They attributed the company's growth to effective management.
She attributed the delay to unforeseen circumstances.
The economists attributed the inflation to increased demand.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A characteristic or property ascribed to someone or something.“Attribute” can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a trait or property—like describing kindness as one of a person’s key attributes. In technology or data contexts, an attribute might refer to a field or property of an object (e.g., an HTML attribute specifying elements in a webpage). As a verb, “to attribute” something to someone means to credit them as the source or cause, for example, “We attribute this discovery to Dr. Moore.” When you say a person or object “has certain attributes,” you’re pointing out defining features—personality attributes, physical characteristics, or functionalities. If you “attribute success to hard work,” you’re indicating that diligence led to the achievement. In academic or professional settings, attributing data or quotes is crucial for giving proper recognition. In essence, “attribute” underscores where qualities, achievements, or ownership come from or belong, whether describing inherent traits or assigning credit for work or ideas.
Alternatives
For similar terms, “quality,” “trait,” or “characteristic” can replace “attribute” when describing inherent features, while “credit,” “assign,” or “ascribe” can substitute when referring to the act of attributing an outcome to a cause or a work to its creator. Each option focuses on specifics—like praising a personality trait (“quality”), defining a notable feature (“characteristic”), or designating responsibility (“credit”). “Attribute,” however, remains a concise way to highlight what’s uniquely possessed or who is responsible for something.
Writing
In writing, differentiate between the noun and verb forms. If discussing a list of traits, you might say, “Her leadership attributes include decisiveness and empathy.” In a research context, clarify the source or reason: “We attribute the spike in sales to our new marketing strategy.” In academic citations, “attribute” signals giving credit to a researcher or author. For technology or data fields, detail how attributes define objects or records—“The user’s profile attributes include username, email, and preferences.” By providing context, you help readers see precisely how or why that attribute or attribution is relevant.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, you might say, “One of his best attributes is his sense of humor,” meaning you’re highlighting a personal strength. Or if a group project succeeds, you could remark, “We attribute much of our success to our project manager’s organizational skills.” Friends might talk about their favorite game’s attributes—like speed, power, or intelligence assigned to characters. These casual uses revolve around explaining which features stand out, who’s responsible, or why an outcome happened. It’s simply a way to note the qualities of a person or thing, or to assign credit where credit’s due.
Etymology
“Attribute” arises from the Latin “attribuere,” combining “ad-” (to) with “tribuere” (to grant or assign). Historically, it signified the act of bestowing a characteristic, right, or credit upon someone or something. Over centuries, it became a standard English term encompassing both the notion of ascribing a property (or credit) and the property itself, whether in personal traits, artistic authorship, or cause-effect relationships. This dual usage—a noun for an inherent feature, a verb for giving credit—traces directly back to the Roman sense of ‘granting or assigning.’
