An attribute is a quality or characteristic given to a person, group, or some other thing . Your best attribute might be your willingness to help others, like when you stopped traffic so the duck family could cross the street. Learn the meaning of attribute as a noun and a verb, with synonyms, collocations and usage examples. Find out how to pronounce attribute and translate it into different languages. Learn the meaning of attribute as a noun and a verb, with synonyms, example sentences, and word history. Attribute can mean a quality, characteristic, or feature of someone or something, or to explain or credit something to a cause or source. Attribute , ascribe, impute imply definite origin. Attribute and ascribe are often used interchangeably, to imply that something originates with a definite person or from a definite cause.