'attributal' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'attribuere', where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'tribuere' meant 'to give'.

'attributal' developed from the noun 'attribute' (from Medieval Latin/Old French forms such as 'attributum'/'attribut') and was formed in English by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-al' to create 'attributal'.

Initially it meant 'of or pertaining to an attribute', and over time it has come to be used especially in grammar to mean 'used attributively' or 'serving as an attributive modifier'.