Word
attributable
Phoneticsat·trib·ut·able
US/əˈtɹɪbjətəbəɫ/
UK/ɐtɹˈɪbjuːtəbəl/
Definition
adj. able to be explained by a specific cause or reason. You use it to show where something comes from.
adj. capable of being assigned to a particular cause, source, or origin. Typically used with the preposition 'to'.
Examples
“The success is attributable to hard work.”
“The sudden drop in sales is attributable to the new competitor opening nearby.”
“While some critics attribute the novel's complexity to the author's academic background, I find it more attributable to her desire to challenge conventional narrative structures.”
Examples
simple
“The success is attributable to hard work.”
contextual
“The sudden drop in sales is attributable to the new competitor opening nearby.”
complex
“While some critics attribute the novel's complexity to the author's academic background, I find it more attributable to her desire to challenge conventional narrative structures.”
Usage
The adjective is typically followed by the preposition 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“The exceptionally hot summer in the Alps has been marked by a record number of rockfalls, some of them fatal, with "a large majority attributable to the climate crisis," according to scientist Ludovic Ravanel.” “About half of that is attributable to personal vehicles.” Etymology
From attribute + -able.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/attributable