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attribute Meaning & Definition

/ˈæt.ɹɪ.bjuːt/

What Does Attribute Mean?

Attribute is a noun that means A characteristic or quality of a thing. It can also mean An object that is considered typical of someone or some function, in particular as an artistic convention. As a verb, it means To ascribe (something) to a given cause, reason etc.; to affix.

Attribute: Key Facts

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pronunciation//ˈæt.ɹɪ.bjuːt//
Syllables1
Synonymsascribe, assign and impute
Pluralattributes
Verb formsattributes, attributing, attributed

Attribute Definition (Noun)

  1. A characteristic or quality of a thing.

    His finest attribute is his kindness.

  2. An object that is considered typical of someone or some function, in particular as an artistic convention.

    The eagle and the bolt of lightning are attributes of Jove.

  3. A word that qualifies a noun.
  4. That which is predicated or affirmed of a subject; a predicate; an accident.
  5. An option or setting belonging to some object.

    This packet has its coherency attribute set to zero.

  6. A semantic item with which a method or other code element may be decorated.

    Properties can be marked as obsolete with an attribute, which will cause the compiler to generate a warning if they are used.

  7. A numeric value representing the colours of part of the screen display.

Attribute as a Verb

  1. To ascribe (something) to a given cause, reason etc.; to affix.
  2. To associate ownership or authorship of (something) to someone.

    This poem is attributed to Browning.

Synonyms of Attribute

Attribute synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Attribute

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Attribute in a Sentence

His finest attribute is his kindness.

The eagle and the bolt of lightning are attributes of Jove.

This packet has its coherency attribute set to zero.

A file with the read-only attribute set cannot be overwritten.

Properties can be marked as obsolete with an attribute, which will cause the compiler to generate a warning if they are used.

This poem is attributed to Browning.

Word Forms & Grammar

attribute (plural attributes)

attribute (third-person singular simple present attributes, present participle attributing, simple past and past participle attributed)

Words That Rhyme With Attribute

Origin of Attribute

Borrowed from Latin attributus.

Attribute Pronunciation

The standard pronunciation of attribute is //ˈæt.ɹɪ.bjuːt//, spoken in 1 syllable.

Attribute: Your Questions Answered

Is attribute a noun or a verb?

Attribute is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for attribute?

Words with a similar meaning to attribute include ascribe, assign and impute. See the full list of attribute synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of attribute?

The plural of attribute is attributes.

What is the past tense of attribute?

The past tense of attribute is attributed. The present participle is attributing.

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