Character definition

kărək-tər
characters
See word origin
Frequency:
Of or relating to one's character.
adjective
105
25
To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
verb
65
27
(biology) A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
noun
69
40
Style of printing or handwriting.
noun
47
18
To portray or describe; characterize.
verb
46
21
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A statement about the behavior, qualities, etc. of a person, esp. as given by a former employer; reference.
noun
21
5
A distinctive trait, quality, or attribute; characteristic.
noun
19
6
Character is defined as a trait, quality or high moral code.

An example of character is someone who is known for being funny.

An example of character is a person who is trustworthy.

noun
14
2
(archaic) To represent; portray.
verb
13
7
Status; position.
noun
11
6
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Moral strength; self-discipline, fortitude, etc.
noun
9
4
(genetics) A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or a group of genes.
9
4
To write, print, or inscribe.
verb
8
4
(computer science) A symbol, such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark, that occupies one byte of memory.
6
2
The pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution.
noun
10
7
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(dated) A reference given to a servant, attesting to his/her behaviour, competence, etc.
noun
8
5
The definition of a character is a unique symbol, letter or mark used in writing.

An example of character is an asterisk.

An example of character is the at symbol.

noun
6
3
A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
noun
4
2
(obsolete) To write (using characters); To describe.
verb
4
2
Moral strength; integrity.

An educational program designed to develop character.

noun
3
1
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A code or cipher.
noun
2
0
(biology) A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
noun
2
0
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.

An inscription in the Runic character.

noun
2
0
A distinctive mark.
noun
5
4
Essential quality; nature; kind or sort.
noun
5
4
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To characterize.
verb
4
3
The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group.
noun
2
1
Public estimation of someone; reputation.

Personal attacks that damaged her character.

noun
1
0
A person considered as having a specific quality or attribute.
noun
1
0
A person or animal portrayed with a personality in comics or animation.

A cartoon character.

noun
1
0
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A personage.

Great characters in history.

noun
1
0
Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics.

A character actor.

adjective
1
1
A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
noun
0
0
(mathematics) The trace function of a representation.
noun
0
0
The distinguishing nature of something.
noun
0
0
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A person considered funny or eccentric.

Catcalls from some character in the back row.

noun
0
0
A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.
noun
0
0
Characterization in fiction or drama.

A script that is weak in plot but strong in character.

noun
0
0
Status or role; capacity.

In his character as the father.

noun
0
0
A mark or symbol used in a writing system.
noun
0
0
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One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.
noun
0
0
The numerical code representing such a character.
noun
0
0
A style of printing or writing.
noun
0
0
A cipher or code for secret writing.
noun
0
0
Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features.

A character sketch.

adjective
0
0
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Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor.

The character part of the hero's devoted mother.

adjective
0
0
(informal) An odd, eccentric, or noteworthy person.
noun
0
0
(genetics) Any attribute, as color, shape, etc., caused in an individual by the action of one or more genes.
noun
0
0
Any letter, figure, or symbol used in writing and printing.
noun
0
0
The letters of an alphabet, collectively.
noun
0
0
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A mystic symbol or magical emblem.
noun
0
0
Reputation.
noun
0
0
Good reputation.

Left without a shred of character.

noun
0
0
A person in a play, story, novel, etc.
noun
0
0
A role as portrayed by an actor or actress.
noun
0
0
The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group.
noun
0
0
The distinguishing nature of something.
noun
0
0
A letter (e.g., a,A, b, and B), number (0, 1, 2, or 3), punctuation mark (e.g., ;, :,`, or "), or other symbol (e.g., @, #, $, or %) or control code (e.g., carriage return (CR), line feed (LF), acknowledgement (ACK), or negative acknowledgement (NAK)) that can be represented by a single data byte. See also byte.
0
0
A complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person or a group.

A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out.

noun
0
0
Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.

He has a great deal of character.

"You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character."

noun
0
0
A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.

Julius Caesar is a great historical character.

That bloke is such a character.

noun
0
0
A written or printed symbol, or letter.
noun
0
0
(computing) One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.
noun
0
0
(informal) A person or individual, especially one who is unknown or raises suspicions.

We saw a shady character slinking out of the office with some papers.

noun
0
0
(mathematics) A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
noun
0
0
Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.

In the miserable character of a slave.

In his character as a magistrate.

noun
0
0
(dated) The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.

A man's character for truth and veracity.

Her actions give her a bad character.

noun
0
0
A Chinese character.
noun
0
1
A being involved in the action of a story.
noun
0
1
in character
  • Consistent with someone's general character or behavior:
    Behavior that was totally in character.
idiom
3
1
out of character
  • Inconsistent with someone's general character or behavior:
    A response so much out of character that it amazed me.
idiom
2
1
in (or out of) character
  • consistent with (or inconsistent with) the role or general character
idiom
2
1

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
character
Plural:
characters

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

in (<i>or</i> out of) character

Origin of character

  • Middle English carecter distinctive mark, imprint on the soul from Old French caractere from Latin charactēr from Greek kharaktēr from kharassein to inscribe from kharax kharak- pointed stick

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English caracter, from Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktēr, “type, nature, character”), from χαράσσω (kharassō, “I engrave”).

    From Wiktionary

Character Sentence Examples

  • It was totally out of character for her.

  • The character of the voters is not staked.

  • Somehow it seemed contrary to his character - any of them.

  • The cover pictured a character looking like Carnac the Magnificent from the old Johnny Carson TV show.

  • His fine character and conscience earned him universal respect and confidence.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near character in the Dictionary