Attribute Meaning
/ˈæt.ɹɪ.bjuːt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA characteristic or quality of a thing.
nounAn object that is considered typical of someone or some function, in particular as an artistic convention.
Sentence Examples
We attribute Edison's success to intelligence and hard work.
We attribute his success more to hard work than to genius.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager decided to ____ the team's success to their hard work and dedication.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientists ____ the change in the climate to various factors.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Latin attributusbor. English attribute Borrowed from Latin attributus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This attribute is used to declare in metadata that the attributed method or class requires SocketPermission of the declared form."
— 2003, Peter Drayton, Ben Albahari, Ted Neward, C# in a Nutshell, page 536:
"If any of the video buffer's background attribute bits are on, MONO converts the attribute to 70h (inverse video)."
— 1989, PC: The Independent Guide to IBM Personal Computers:
"For as this is the liquor of modern historians, nay, perhaps their muse, if we may believe the opinion of Butler, who attributes inspiration to ale, it ought likewise to be the potation of their readers, since every book ought to be read with the same spirit and in the same manner as it is writ."
— 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter I, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book IV:
"We attribute nothing to God that hath any repugnancy or contradiction in it."
— 1664, John Tillotson, “Sermon I. The Wisdom of Being Religious. Job XXVIII. 28.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: […], London: […] B. Aylmer, […]; [a]nd W. Rogers, […], published 1696, →OCLC:
"It is to be recouered, but that the merit of ſeruice is ſeldom attributed to the true and exact performer, I would haue that drumme or another, or hic iacet."
— c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene vi], page 244, column 1:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager decided to ____ the team's success to their hard work and dedication.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientists ____ the change in the climate to various factors.