attributable

IPA/əˈtrɪbjətəbl/
KK[ətrˈɪbjətəbəl]IPA/əˈtrɪbjətəbl/

attributable — adjective

  • attributablepositive
  • more attributablecomparative
  • most attributablesuperlative

1. able to be connected to a stated cause, source, or person as the reason for some

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

able to be connected to a stated cause, source, or person as the reason for something

Example

Much of the delay was attributable to heavy rain on the mountain road.

be attributable to + cause

The rise in sales is partly attributable to Mia's weekend video campaign.

partly attributable to + source

Common collocations
  • attributable to human error
  • attributable to stress
  • attributable to climate change
  • partly attributable to
  • directly attributable to
Synonyms
  • due to

    more common and less formal; often gives a reason without sounding technical.

  • caused by

    plain and direct, with a stronger focus on cause.

  • traceable to

    often suggests a clearer chain back to an origin or source.

  • linked to

    broader and may suggest connection without proving full cause.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be attributable to + cause

partly attributable to + noun

directly attributable to + event

not attributable to + factor

seem attributable to + change

Usage Note

Usually follows be, seem, or another linking verb and is normally followed by to. Common in reports, research, and formal news writing when a result is linked to a stated cause.

Common Mistakes

The delay was attributable by the storm.
The delay was attributable to the storm.
use 'to', not 'by', after this adjective.
The storm attributable the delay.
The storm caused the delay.' / 'The delay was attributable to the storm.
attributable is an adjective, not a main verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For this sense, attributable is a formal adjective used when a result can be connected to a named cause or source. Due to is more common in everyday English and simply introduces a reason. Caused by is plainer and often sounds stronger, as if the cause is more direct and certain. Traceable to often suggests that you can follow a chain back to an origin, especially in reports or investigations. Linked to is broader and can mean connection without full proof of cause. Compare: The delay was attributable to heavy rain, The delay was due to heavy rain, and The problem was linked to a software update but not yet fully explained.

attributable ↗due to ↗caused bytraceable tolinked to

Common collocations

Nouns

  • human error
  • stress
  • climate change
  • poor planning

Adverbs

  • directly attributable
  • largely attributable
  • partly attributable
  • mostly attributable

Phrases

  • be attributable to human error
  • be largely attributable to stress
  • not attributable to the medicine
  • seem attributable to the change

Prepositions

  • attributable to

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Attributable was formed in English from attribute and the ending -able. Attribute came through French from Latin attribuere, meaning 'assign' or 'give to'. From that history, attributable developed the idea of something that can be assigned to a particular cause or source.