Pronunciation [ change ]

• ( UK ) ( US ) IPA ^{( key )} : /??skra?b/

• Audio (AU)

  ( file )

Verb [ change ]

1. ( transitive ) To attribute a cause or characteristic to someone or something.

   We may ascribe the failure to the leader , but it is also explained by bad luck.

2. ( transitive ) To attribute a book, painting or any work of art or literature to a specific writer or painter or creator.

   It is arguable as to whether we can truly ascribe this play to Shakespeare.

Synonyms [ change ]

• attribute
• impute

Related words [ change ]

• ascribable
• ascription
• ascriptive