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

Those two traits are extremely important, but there’s more to the position than just the highlight plays. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025

Such similarities are examples of convergent evolution, when species that are not closely related evolve to have similar traits. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

Disney-style optimism is an attractive trait for someone in a generation wracked by doom and anxiety. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Sep. 2025

On top of that awkward combination of character traits, Ned also in a way feels like an author surrogate for Greg Daniels, who co-created The Paper with Michael Koman. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 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