DictionaryattributeAssigning a source
verb

attribute

To regard something as caused or produced by a particular person or thing.

She attributes the team's success to careful preparation and mutual trust.

Etymology

Latin ad- and tribuere express assigning something to someone. Attributing a result assigns its cause or authorship to a particular person or thing.

More examples

  • The museum attributed the painting to a local artist.
  • Doctors are still attributing the symptoms to several possible causes.
  • Do not attribute every mistake to lack of effort.

Forms

attribute · attributes · attributed · attributing

attribution noun — The identification of a source or cause.

Similar words

ascribe
Is a close, often more formal alternative for assigning a source.
credit
Usually assigns responsibility for a positive result.