trait

Everyday

1. A trait is a quality that is part of someone's character, like being brave, shy or kind. tree →
2. In science, a trait is a feature passed down from parents to children, such as eye colour or the shape of a leaf. tree →
3. A trait can also be a typical feature of something, like a trait of a style of music. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it comes with inheritance, genes and evolution: «inherited traits», «animals pass traits to their young». In English lessons pupils describe «character traits» of people in stories, backing each trait with evidence from the text. Phrases: «character trait», «personality trait», «family trait».

Examples

• Kindness is Mia's best trait. tree →
• Brown eyes are a trait she got from her dad. tree →
• Write down three character traits of the wolf in the story. tree →
• Curly hair is a family trait in our house. tree →
• Giraffes passed on the trait of long necks. tree →
• Being stubborn is not always a bad trait. tree →
• Plants also inherit traits from their parent plants. tree →
• One could mention many lovable traits in Smee. tree →

Note

Countable: «a trait», «traits». In British English it is often said «tray», in American English «trate» (with the t). Inherited traits come from parents; skills you learn, like riding a bike, are not inherited traits.