Attribute Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ATTRIBUTE

attribute to

[phrasal verb]

1

attribute (something) to (someone or something)

:

to say that (something) is because of (someone or something)

• He attributes his success to his coach. [=he credits his success to his coach]
• His doctor attributes his health problems to a poor diet and a lack of exercise.

2

:

to think of (something) as being a quality of (someone or something)

• The study suggests that it is a mistake to attribute adult reasoning to children.
• Is it right to attribute complex emotions to animals?
• She attributed some importance to the research.

3

:

to think of (something) as being made or created by (someone)

• The poem is usually attributed to Shakespeare, but some scholars doubt that he wrote it.

— attribution

/ˌætrəˈbjuːʃən/

noun,

plural

attributions

[noncount]

• The attribution of the poem to Shakespeare is questioned by some scholars.

[count]

• The identified causes were later found to be mistaken attributions.

Britannica Dictionary definition of ATTRIBUTE

[count]

:

a usually good quality or feature that someone or something has

• The interviewer asked me what I consider to be my best attribute.
• Both candidates possess the attributes we want in a leader.