trait

American  

[treyt, trey] / treɪt, treɪ /

noun

1. a distinguishing characteristic or quality, especially of one's personal nature.

   bad traits of character.

   Synonyms:

   property, attribute, mark, peculiarity

2. a pen or pencil stroke.

3. a stroke, touch, or strain, as of some quality.

   a trait of pathos; a trait of ready wit.

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trait British  

/ treɪ, treɪt /

noun

1. a characteristic feature or quality distinguishing a particular person or thing

2. rare a touch or stroke

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trait Scientific  

/ trāt /

1. A genetically determined characteristic or condition. Traits may be physical, such as hair color or leaf shape, or they may be behavioral, such as nesting in birds and burrowing in rodents. Traits typically result from the combined action of several genes, though some traits are expressed by a single gene.

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Etymology

Origin of trait

First recorded in 1470–80; from Middle French: literally, “something drawn,” from Latin tractus; tract ¹

Explanation

A trait is something about you that makes you "you." When your mother says that you get all your best traits from her, she means you have the same charming smile and the same brilliant mind as she has. In science, trait refers to a characteristic that is caused by genetics. Having green eyes or being shorter than average are traits a person might have. In more general use, a trait is an important part of someone’s personality or appearance. Try to describe your favorite teacher in three words and you’ll probably come up with a list of her essential traits — such as compassionate, calm, and kooky.

Example Sentences

His excessive preparation has become a trait he considers a “super power.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

The study included 144 adults who had moderate trait anxiety and were already taking medication to help manage their symptoms.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

I see this same trait among the patients, families, caregivers, friends and researchers who comprise the rare-disease community.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Now, despite being impressive physical specimens, there is one bald eagle trait that doesn’t live up to what you might have seen on television—the patented bald eagle scream.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

To like what we know and to distrust what we do not know is an age-old human trait.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Related Words

• attribute
• character
• feature
• habit
• idiosyncrasy
• manner
• oddity
• peculiarity
• quality
• quirk
• trick
• virtue