Attribute means something rather similar to "pay tribute". So, for example, an award winner who pays tribute to an inspiring professor is, in a sense, attributing her success to the professor. Though if you …

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.

Self-confidence is a rare attribute in a 17-year-old. She has the physical attributes to become a championship swimmer.

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 …

If you attribute something to an event or situation, you think that it was caused by that event or situation. The striker attributes the team's success to a positive ethos at the club. [VERB noun + to]

1. to regard as resulting from a specified cause: She attributes his bad temper to ill health. 2. to consider as a quality or characteristic of the person, thing, group, etc., indicated: to attribute intelligence to …

Definition of attribute noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Attribute definition: To regard as arising from a particular cause or source; ascribe.

He attributes his success to his coach. [=he credits his success to his coach] His doctor attributes his health problems to a poor diet and a lack of exercise.

Attribute and ascribe are often used interchangeably, to imply that something originates with a definite person or from a definite cause. attribute is coming to have a complimentary connotation: to ascribe …