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

These traits make biodrones suitable for inspecting pipelines, surveying industrial zones, monitoring power lines, or supporting search and rescue missions in hard-to-reach locations. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026

Despite the subject wearing a mask, Constantine said the footage still reveals identifiable physical traits. —Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026

According to superstition, a person born in a particular year takes on the traits of that year’s animal. —Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

The Belgium international has started to utilise his physical traits, increasingly aggressive in duels and more willing to dominate his opponent. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 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