The word attribute has two main meanings:

1. A quality or characteristic that belongs to someone or something. When you describe your best friend's attributes, you might mention their kindness, sense of humor, or loyalty. A good detective needs certain attributes: sharp observation skills, logical thinking, and patience. Physical attributes include things like height, eye color, or strength, while personal attributes might be courage, creativity, or determination. Every person, place, or thing has attributes that make it distinctive. A successful basketball player's attributes might include quick reflexes and good teamwork, while a great teacher's attributes might include clarity, enthusiasm, and fairness.
2. To credit something to a particular source or cause (pronounced slightly differently, with emphasis on the second syllable). When you attribute your success on a test to studying hard, you're identifying the cause. Historians attribute the fall of Rome to many factors. If someone attributes a quotation to Benjamin Franklin, they're saying he said or wrote it. You might attribute your team's victory to excellent practice, or attribute your improved piano playing to your teacher's guidance. When you attribute something, you're essentially saying “this happened because of that” or “this belongs to that person.”