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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
This dog breed has a number of desirable traits. honesty is one of her defining traits
Recent Examples on the Web Another trait of Malaparte’s writing, which often alludes to painters (Chagall, Repin, Grosz and Bosch to name but a few), is his vivid way of expressing the strange and incongruous. 
Tobias Grey, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 This can hold you back from mutually fulfilling relationships—and is also a trait of codependency. Sharon Kwon, SELF, 6 Aug. 2022 Stability is a strong character trait of the defense for the UAB football team and, despite a loss of experience on the defensive front, the core of the entire unit is intact at the middle linebacker position. Evan Dudley, al, 21 July 2022 That’s hardly the trait of a Stanley Cup contender. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 21 May 2022 The other trait of this team is the players are all athletes. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2022 Welsh’s study attempted to understand how the trait of psychopathy can produce successful outcomes (both occupational and criminal success) and whether charisma had anything to do with obtaining those outcomes. Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 May 2022 For the girlfriend who personifies the honorable trait of grit, this dainty pearl necklace is a piece of jewelry with meaning. Editors Of Men's Health, Men's Health, 4 May 2022 Indeed, a defining trait of this performance was how naturally and yet quickly a single line of musical thought could transform from sunny to menacing. Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 25 Feb. 2022 See More
Tobias Grey, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 This can hold you back from mutually fulfilling relationships—and is also a trait of codependency. Sharon Kwon, SELF, 6 Aug. 2022 Stability is a strong character trait of the defense for the UAB football team and, despite a loss of experience on the defensive front, the core of the entire unit is intact at the middle linebacker position. Evan Dudley, al, 21 July 2022 That’s hardly the trait of a Stanley Cup contender. Gene Myers, Detroit Free Press, 21 May 2022 The other trait of this team is the players are all athletes. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2022 Welsh’s study attempted to understand how the trait of psychopathy can produce successful outcomes (both occupational and criminal success) and whether charisma had anything to do with obtaining those outcomes. Mark Travers, Forbes, 7 May 2022 For the girlfriend who personifies the honorable trait of grit, this dainty pearl necklace is a piece of jewelry with meaning. Editors Of Men's Health, Men's Health, 4 May 2022 Indeed, a defining trait of this performance was how naturally and yet quickly a single line of musical thought could transform from sunny to menacing. Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 25 Feb. 2022 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
Kids Definition
trait
noun
ˈtrāt
: a quality that makes one person, animal, or thing different from another
Medical Definition
trait
noun
ˈtrāt, British usually ˈtrā
: an inherited characteristic
traits
noun
as in characteristics
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind honesty is one of her defining traits Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- characteristics
- qualities
- attributes
- features
- attributions
- properties
- hallmarks
- criteria
- peculiarities
- markers
- characters
- marks
- fingerprints
- particularities
- symbols
- affections
- differentiae
- diagnostics
- criterions
- specifics
- touches
- stamps
- signs
- virtues
- notes
- points
- indications
- emblems
- badges
- quirks
- tokens
- charms
- idiosyncrasies
- excellences
- merits
- eccentricities
- graces
- individualities
- oddities
- singularities