View synonyms for

trait

[ treyt; British also trey ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a distinguishing characteristic or quality, especially of one's personal nature:
bad traits of character.
Synonyms: , , ,
a pen or pencil stroke.
a stroke, touch, or strain, as of some quality:
a trait of pathos; a trait of ready wit.

trait

/ treɪ; treɪt /

noun

a characteristic feature or quality distinguishing a particular person or thing
rare.
a touch or stroke

trait

A genetically determined characteristic or condition. Traits may be physical, such as hair color or leaf shape, or they may be behavioral, such as nesting in birds and burrowing in rodents. Traits typically result from the combined action of several genes, though some traits are expressed by a single gene.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of trait¹

First recorded in 1470–80; from Middle French: literally, “something drawn,” from Latin tractus; tract ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of trait¹

C16: from French, from Old French: a pulling, from Latin tractus , from trahere to drag

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

By now, you may recognize the trait these very different figures share.

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Society associates masculinity with traits like self-reliance, independence and not showing vulnerability, says social psychologist Prof Brendan Gough of Leeds Beckett University.

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Their blood temperature fluctuates with the ambient temperature, a rare trait among mammals that they share with the sloth.

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Some have theorized that this may be an evolutionary trait built in to provide humans with a reward for being able to outrun predators and stay fit.

From

I never agreed with his politics, but his most penetrating social trait was how very forthcoming and honest he was with me, regarding everyone from Angela Davis to Gorbachev.

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Related Words

traipse traitor

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