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

His boys resist their impulses and core traits, but can never be successful for long in that rebellion. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025

One of measles’ most deceptive traits is that most cases, especially in healthy people, are relatively mild. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025

What’s more, Fomalhaut cs2 displays traits that are extremely reminiscent of Fomalhaut cs1, a subject also studied two decades ago. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Dec. 2025

But with a relative bargain comes traits that Long and company will labor to fix. —Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 17 Dec. 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