noun

attribute

AT-rih-byoot

noun

A quality or characteristic that belongs to a person or thing.

"Patience is a valuable attribute for a teacher to have."

A property or setting associated with a data object, in computing.

"Each HTML tag can have several attributes, like class or id."

verb

To say that something is caused by or belongs to a particular source.

"The quote is often attributed to Mark Twain, though the origin is disputed."

How to Use Attribute

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAs a noun, a quality something has; as a verb, to credit or assign something to a cause or source.

Common mistake

The noun is stressed on the first syllable (AT-tri-bute); the verb is stressed on the second (a-TRIB-ute).

Common pairings

key attribute attribute to positive attribute

Word Forms

attributed past tense, attributes plural, attribute plural, attributed plural, attributes singular, attribute singular, attributed singular, attributest singular, attributedst singular, attributeth singular

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Patience is a valuable _____ for a teacher to have.

Etymology

From Latin attributus, past participle of attribuere, "to assign, bestow," from ad- ("to") plus tribuere ("to grant, bestow").

Synonyms

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refer

Related Words

advert pertain refer consult

Rhymes for attribute

ute cute mute lute flute acute haute brute chute route minute refute

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