Attribute vs. Characteristic: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on November 5, 2023
An Attribute is a quality or feature regarded as inherent or innate, while a Characteristic is a distinguishing trait or feature of an individual or thing.
Key Differences
An Attribute often refers to a quality, feature, or property that is intrinsic or inherent to something or someone. It is often seen as something that can be ascribed or attributed to a particular entity. On the other hand, a Characteristic is generally understood as a distinguishing feature that makes someone or something unique or recognizable, often defining its nature or behavior.
In certain contexts, the term Attribute may imply a more neutral quality, without necessarily denoting value or distinction. For example, the color of a car can be considered an Attribute. Meanwhile, a Characteristic might be used in contexts that emphasize the unique or defining aspects of an entity, such as a car's particular design or its advanced technology.
Additionally, the word Attribute can also be used as a verb, meaning to credit or ascribe something to a particular source or cause. In this sense, one might attribute a quote to its author. The word Characteristic doesn't share this verb form, and its primary usage remains as a noun, highlighting particular traits or features.
To sum it up, while both words deal with qualities or features of an entity, Attribute often emphasizes an innate or given quality, and Characteristic focuses more on unique or distinguishing traits.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
A quality or feature seen as inherent.
A distinguishing trait or feature.
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Implication
Neutral or inherent quality.
Unique or defining quality.
Verb Form
Can be used as a verb (to attribute).
No verb form.
Usage
Common in technical or detailed descriptions.
Emphasizes special or distinguishing traits.
Value Connotation
Doesn't necessarily denote value or distinction.
Often highlights a distinguishing or special feature.
Attribute and Characteristic Definitions
Attribute
A specific aspect or detail of something.
The product has several new Attributes that appeal to users.
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Characteristic
A quality that identifies or defines something or someone.
The spicy taste is a Characteristic of this dish.
Attribute
Something credited to a particular entity or cause.
The quote was wrongly attributed to Mark Twain.
Characteristic
An emblematic or representational aspect.
The melody is a Characteristic feature of the song.
Attribute
A symbol or term representing a property or feature.
In coding, each HTML tag can have several Attributes.
Characteristic
A distinctive or unique behavior.
Purring is a Characteristic behavior of cats.
Attribute
A quality, feature, or property inherent to something.
Speed is an important Attribute of a race car.
Characteristic
A hallmark or signature quality.
The unique design is a Characteristic of the brand.
Attribute
To regard as arising from a particular cause or source; ascribe
Attributed their failure to a lack of preparation.
Characteristic
Being a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing; distinctive
Heard my friend's characteristic laugh.
The stripes that are characteristic of the zebra.
Attribute
To regard (a work, for example) as belonging to or produced by a specified agent, place, or time
Attributed the painting to Titian.
Attributed the vase to 18th-century Japan.
Characteristic
A feature that helps to identify, tell apart, or describe recognizably; a distinguishing mark or trait.
Attribute
A quality or characteristic inherent in or ascribed to someone or something.
Characteristic
(Mathematics) The integral part of a logarithm as distinguished from the mantissa
The characteristic of the logarithm 6.3214 is 6.
Attribute
An object associated with and serving to identify a character, personage, or office
Lightning bolts are an attribute of Zeus.
Characteristic
(Mathematics) The least number of times the multiplicative identity in a ring needs to be added to itself to reach the additive identity, or, if the additive identity is never reached, zero. The integers have a characteristic of zero; the integers modulo 12 have a characteristic of 12.
Attribute
(Grammar) A word or phrase syntactically subordinate to another word or phrase that it modifies; for example, my sister's and brown in my sister's brown dog.
Characteristic
Being a distinguishing feature of a person or thing.
Attribute
A characteristic or quality of a thing.
His finest attribute is his kindness.
Characteristic
A distinguishing feature of a person or thing.
Attribute
An object that is considered typical of someone or some function, in particular as an artistic convention.
The eagle and the bolt of lightning are attributes of Jove.
Characteristic
(mathematics) The integer part of a logarithm.
Attribute
(grammar) A word that qualifies a noun.
Characteristic
(nautical) The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.).
Attribute
(logic) That which is predicated or affirmed of a subject; a predicate; an accident.
Characteristic
For a given field or ring, a natural number that is either the smallest positive number n such that n instances of the multiplicative identity (1) summed together yield the additive identity (0) or, if no such number exists, the number 0.
The characteristic of a field, if non-zero, must be a prime number.
Attribute
An option or setting belonging to some object.
This packet has its coherency attribute set to zero.
A file with the read-only attribute set cannot be overwritten.
Characteristic
Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive.
Characteristic clearness of temper.
Attribute
(programming) A semantic item with which a method or other code element may be decorated.
Properties can be marked as obsolete with an attribute, which will cause the compiler to generate a warning if they are used.
Characteristic
A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized.
The characteristics of a true critic.
Attribute
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Characteristic
The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.
Attribute
A numeric value representing the colours of part of the screen display.
Characteristic
A prominent aspect of something;
The map showed roads and other features
Generosity is one of his best characteristics
Attribute
To ascribe (something) to a given cause, reason etc.
Characteristic
A distinguishing quality
Attribute
To associate ownership or authorship of (something) to someone.
This poem is attributed to Browning.
Characteristic
The integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
Attribute
To ascribe; to consider (something) as due or appropriate (to); to refer, as an effect to a cause; to impute; to assign; to consider as belonging (to).
We attribute nothing to God that hath any repugnancy or contradiction in it.
The merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer.
Characteristic
Any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
Attribute
That which is attributed; a quality which is considered as belonging to, or inherent in, a person or thing; an essential or necessary property or characteristic.
But mercy is above this sceptered away; . . .It is an attribute to God himself.
Characteristic
Typical or distinctive;
Heard my friend's characteristic laugh
Red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn
Stripes characteristic of the zebra
Attribute
Reputation.
Characteristic
A distinguishing trait or feature.
Her wit is a Characteristic that everyone admires.
Attribute
A conventional symbol of office, character, or identity, added to any particular figure; as, a club is the attribute of Hercules.
Attribute
Quality, etc., denoted by an attributive; an attributive adjunct or adjective.
Attribute
A construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished;
Self-confidence is not an endearing property
Attribute
An abstraction belonging to or characteristic of an entity
Attribute
Attribute or credit to;
We attributed this quotation to Shakespeare
People impute great cleverness to cats
Attribute
Decide as to where something belongs in a scheme;
The biologist assigned the mushroom to the proper class
Attribute
An inherent part of one's nature or essence.
Kindness is her most endearing Attribute.
FAQs
Can something have multiple Attributes?
Yes, an entity can possess multiple Attributes.
Are all Characteristics unique?
Not necessarily. While Characteristics often highlight uniqueness, some may be shared among similar entities.
Can an Attribute be changed?
Some Attributes can change over time or with conditions, while others are inherent and unchangeable.
Is every Characteristic positive?
No, Characteristics can be positive, negative, or neutral.
Which word, Attribute or Characteristic, is more specific?
Characteristic often denotes more specific or distinguishing qualities.
What's the relation between an Attribute and value?
An Attribute is a feature or quality, and its value denotes its importance or worth.
How is Attribute used in a technical context?
In tech, an Attribute might refer to properties of objects, such as in coding or databases.
How is the word Attribute used in art?
In art, an Attribute might refer to symbolic objects associated with figures, like a saint's specific symbol.
Can Characteristics be taught or acquired?
Some can be learned or developed, while others might be inherent.
Can Attribute be used to credit someone?
Yes, to attribute can mean to credit or ascribe something to someone.
Are all Attributes and Characteristics objective?
While some are objective and measurable, others can be subjective and based on perception.
How do Characteristics define an entity?
Characteristics often highlight what sets an entity apart or what makes it recognizable.
Are Characteristics always visible?
No, some Characteristics can be intangible or behavioral.
Is every Attribute noticeable?
No, some Attributes might be subtle or hidden.
Is every Attribute significant?
Not necessarily. Some Attributes might be minor or not particularly distinguishing.
Can objects and concepts both have Attributes?
Yes, both tangible objects and abstract concepts can possess Attributes.
Do Characteristics always define identity?
Often, but not always. Characteristics can contribute to identity but don't solely define it.
Can we attribute success to a single Characteristic?
Typically, success arises from a combination of Characteristics, not just one.
How do Characteristics differ in biology?
In biology, Characteristics often refer to inherited traits or features defining a species.
Can a person's Characteristic change over time?
Yes, some Characteristics can evolve or change based on experiences or circumstances.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
