trait

noun

ˈtrāt 

British usually

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

• affection
• attribute
• attribution
• character
• characteristic
• criterion
• diagnostic
• differentia
• feature
• fingerprint
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• note
• particularity
• peculiarity
• point
• property
• quality
• specific
• stamp
• touch

Example Sentences

This dog breed has a number of desirable traits.

honesty is one of her defining traits

Recent Examples on the Web

That definition renders immaterial the specific trait being scorned. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023

Lake, a former TV anchor, comes from a key swing state and is unflinchingly loyal to Trump, an indispensable trait for any potential veep. —Dave Goldiner New York Daily News (tns), al, 8 Mar. 2023

Bees that were taught one of two solutions for opening a puzzle box spread that behavioral trait to untrained bees, creating a cultural signature for their colony. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2023

One trait immediately comes to mind when former Texas teammates think of offensive lineman Junior Angilau: Strength. —oregonlive, 2 Mar. 2023

And so, Kit Harrison continues to nurture the journalistic flame that burned so brightly within her father — the late Selig Harrison — an unflinching trait that’s embedded so deeply in her DNA. —Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Feb. 2023

These kinds of bright-eyed lead characters, whose defining trait is their insistent need to seize each and every single day in a keen and vice-like grip, are a long-standing staple of indie film. —Catherine Bray, Variety, 16 Feb. 2023

However, as Leen pushed into the powerboat market in 2021 with a 56, another happy trait of the tri-hulled design came into play—efficiency. —Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2023

According to Cantor, the cooperative fishing relationship is specific to this population of dolphins and not a genetic trait. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2023

See More

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

• sickle-cell trait

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