trait

noun

ˈtrāt 

British also

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 of trait

• characteristic
• feature
• attribute
• quality
• attribution

Examples of trait in a Sentence

This dog breed has a number of desirable traits.

honesty is one of her defining traits

Recent Examples on the Web

Both humility and learning are powerful leadership traits. —William Arruda, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Openness and a deep well of emotion, valuable traits for an actor, may not equip him to wage PR warfare as conducted in the social media age. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026

These traits add new color to the long, strange evolutionary story of photosynthesis. —Quanta Magazine, 10 June 2026

That victory showcased the Valkyries' balanced attack and physical defense, two traits that have quickly become trademarks under head coach Natalie Nakase. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 9 June 2026

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

• sickle-cell trait

Rhymes for trait

• ate
• bait
• bate
• cate
• crate
• date
• eight
• fait
• fate
• fete
• frate
• freight

Kids Definition

trait

noun

ˈtrāt 

1

: a quality that sets one person or thing off from another : peculiarity sense 2

curiosity is one of her notable traits

2

: an inherited characteristic

dominant and recessive traits

Etymology

from early French trait "the act of pulling," from Latin tractus, past participle of trahere "to pull, drag" — related to trace entry 1, trace entry 3

Medical Definition

trait

noun

ˈtrāt, British usually ˈtrā

: an inherited characteristic