Word
trait
US/ˈtɹeɪt/
UK/tɹˈeɪt/
Definitions
01personality or character
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a quality that is part of your personality.
n. a distinguishing feature of a person's character or nature.
日本語:特性※
“Patience is a very important trait for a primary school teacher to have.”
“The candidate's most impressive trait was her ability to remain composed under intense questioning from the board.”
Synonyms
02biological feature
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Technical
n. a physical quality that is passed from parents to children through genes.
n. a genetically determined characteristic or condition.
“Eye colour is a physical trait that you inherit from your parents.”
“Researchers are investigating which specific genetic traits make certain plant species more resistant to drought.”
Usage
Often used in the context of heredity and evolution.
03computing
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a set of methods used in computer programming to give extra powers to a class.
n. a collection of methods that provides functionality to a class, used as a tool for code reuse in object-oriented programming.
“The programmer used a trait to share the same code between two different objects.”
“By implementing the trait, the developer ensured that multiple classes could share the same logging behaviour without complex inheritance.”
Usage
Common in languages like Rust, Scala, and PHP.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized technical sense; general learners only need the character-based definition.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “trait” in context.
Adjective
01. human trait
“Curiosity is a fundamental human trait that drives scientific discovery.”
adj + noun
Noun
02. personality trait
“Patience is a personality trait that is highly valued in teachers.”
noun + noun
03. trait homogeneous
Real-World Examples
“This comes as no surprise to researchers who study twins, who have documented similar patterns for many other human traits .” “They measured several traits that could be influenced by climate conditions or pollinator activity.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French trait (“line, feature”), from Latin tractus (“drawing, pulling”), from Latin trahō. Doublet of tract.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/trait
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0