An attribute groups a product choice, such as Color or Size. Its options are the values customers can choose, such as Red or Large. Create the attribute once, then use it on the variable products that need it.
Where attributes appear
A variable product chooses its driving attributes, and each variant has one option for each of them. Creating an attribute alone does not add variants or a storefront filter. Those are separate choices you make when setting up products and filters.
Creating and managing attributes
Start with How to create attributes. Then use them on products and filters. Choose option labels and order that make sense to shoppers; changing a shared attribute can affect several products.
Deleting attributes
An attribute used by a product or storefront filter cannot be deleted or have its slug changed. Edit or remove an attribute explains how to clear those uses while keeping existing variants and their stock and prices.