attribute

attribute is on the Academic Word List.

Pronunciation

noun

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /æˈtrɪbjuːt/, SAMPA: /{"trIbju:t/
• (US) enPR: ă-trĭb'yo͞ot, IPA ^(key): /æˈtrɪbjut/, SAMPA: /{"trIbjut/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

verb

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈætrɪbjuːt/, SAMPA: /"{trIbju:t/
• (US) enPR: ă'trĭ-byo͞ot, IPA ^(key): /ˈætrɪbjut/, SAMPA: /"{trIbjut/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form attribute

Third-person singular attributes

Past tense attributed

Past participle attributed

Present participle attributing

1. (transitive) If you attribute ${\displaystyle x}$ to ${\displaystyle y}$, you say that ${\displaystyle x}$ is the creation or result of ${\displaystyle y}$.

   He attributes his success to the love of his parents.

   The famous phrase is usually attributed to Winston Churchill, though some believe he never actually said it.

Related words

• attribution
• attributive

Noun

Singular attribute

Plural attributes

1. An attribute is a part, feature, or characteristic.

   A good sense of humour is an essential attribute for a doctor to have.