June 11, 2011
- attribute (noun)
- \AT-ruh-byoot\

- What does it mean?
- 1 : a quality belonging to a particular person or thing2 : a word that indicates a quality; especially : adjective
- How do you use it?
- Rick's ability to make people laugh is one of his best attributes.
- Are you a word wiz?
Your personal attributes are the special qualities that make you you. What other word do you think names a special quality?
If you chose D, you can include good vocabulary skills among your attributes. "Property," "attribute," and "quality" all refer to a special feature of a person or thing. Choose "property" to imply a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature, as in "properties of steel, such as strength." Try "attribute" when you want to suggest a quality associated with a person or thing, as in "considers creativity chief the attribute of an artist." Use "quality" when you want a general term that applies to any basic characteristic, as in "fabric with a silky quality."

