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

• 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

Her signature ultra-thin, arched eyebrows, a style trait belonging to her renowned ’90s aesthetic, were kept intact, while her lips glowed as if they’d been coated in a thin layer of chapstick. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 July 2025

Along those same lines, calling specific traits of genes good, could also cause people to look at other people who don’t have those genes in a lesser light. —Sonia Thompson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

Best traits: Freaky physical traits Styles is built differently. —Dane Brugler, New York Times, 29 July 2025

The most important trait an emergency manager can possess is a clear-eyed, complacency-free view of the threat landscape. —Kelly McKinney, New York Daily News, 28 July 2025

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