trait

noun

ˈtrāt 

British also

ˈtrā 

1

a

: a distinguishing quality (as of personal character)

curiosity is one of her notable traits

b

: an inherited characteristic

2

a

: a stroke of or as if of a pencil

b

: touch, trace

Synonyms of trait

• characteristic
• feature
• attribute
• quality
• attribution

Examples of trait in a Sentence

This dog breed has a number of desirable traits.

honesty is one of her defining traits

Recent Examples on the Web

Artists can be complicated, selfish people, and substance abuse exacerbates these traits for many of them. —Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026

Defensively, the athletic big showed his ability to switch and defend at every level – a trait that will be critical in the NBA. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026

Falk, who died in 2011 at the age of 83, per The New York Times, famously had a glass eye, which became a signature trait of his detective character. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

But size, length, movement, explosiveness and shooting data does help frame a prospect’s competitive ceiling and the traits that may support a long career. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, literally, act of drawing, from Latin tractus — more at tract

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing trait

• sickle-cell trait

Rhymes for trait

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

trait

noun

ˈtrāt 

1

: a quality that sets one person or thing off from another : peculiarity sense 2

curiosity is one of her notable traits

2

: an inherited characteristic

dominant and recessive traits

Etymology

from early French trait "the act of pulling," from Latin tractus, past participle of trahere "to pull, drag" — related to trace entry 1, trace entry 3

Medical Definition

trait

noun

ˈtrāt, British usually ˈtrā

: an inherited characteristic