noun

trait

/treɪt/ · say it: TRAYT

a distinguishing characteristic

In Nuance & Precision

In more detail

1. (noun) a quality or characteristic that a person or thing has

2. (noun) a quality that is passed from parents to children through genes

Examples

1. Honesty is an important trait for a good leader.
2. Eye color is a genetic trait inherited from your parents.

How to use trait

Trait refers to a distinctive quality or characteristic of a person, animal, or thing. It is commonly used in psychology and genetics to describe both learned characteristics (personality traits) and inherited characteristics (genetic traits). The word is neutral and factual, often appearing in scientific, educational, or descriptive contexts.

Common phrases

dominant trait
inherited trait
personality trait
genetic trait
key trait
display a trait

Synonyms

characteristic · quality · feature · attribute · property

Word family

traited

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse trait with treat; trait refers to a characteristic, while treat refers to a reward or to provide medical care.

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