Character meaning

kărək-tər
characters
See word origin
Frequency:
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
67
19
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
37
20
Of or relating to one's character.
adjective
22
7
A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
noun
20
17
To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
verb
17
7
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The trace function of a representation.
noun
7
1
A distinctive trait, quality, or attribute; characteristic.
noun
7
5
To portray or describe; characterize.
verb
6
2
Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features.

A character sketch.

adjective
5
3
A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
noun
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4
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Style of printing or handwriting.
noun
4
3
A single alphabetic letter, numeric digit, or special symbol such as a decimal point or comma. A character is equivalent to a byte; for example, 50,000 characters take up 50,000 bytes. The word "character" itself takes up nine bytes. See character based.
4
3
An odd, eccentric, or noteworthy person.
noun
3
1
A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
noun
3
3
noun
3
3
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The pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution.
noun
2
1
To represent; portray.
verb
2
1
A personage.

Great characters in history.

noun
2
2
Any attribute, as color, shape, etc., caused in an individual by the action of one or more genes.
noun
2
2
(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
1
1
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To write, print, or inscribe.
verb
1
2
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.
1
2
A being involved in the action of a story.
noun
1
2
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
1
2
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
1
2
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A distinctive mark.
noun
1
3
Essential quality; nature; kind or sort.
noun
1
3
Moral strength; self-discipline, fortitude, etc.
noun
1
3
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
1
3
A statement about the behavior, qualities, etc. of a person, esp. as given by a former employer; reference.
noun
1
4
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To characterize.
verb
0
1
A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
noun
0
1
A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or a group of genes.
0
1
A symbol, such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark, that occupies one byte of memory.
0
1
A written or printed symbol, or letter.
noun
0
1
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Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.

An inscription in the Runic character.

noun
0
1
(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
1
(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
1
(mathematics) A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
noun
0
1
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
1
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(dated) A reference given to a servant, attesting to his/her behaviour, competence, etc.
noun
0
1
Status; position.
noun
0
2
(obsolete) To write (using characters); To describe.
verb
0
2
in character
  • Consistent with someone's general character or behavior:.
    Behavior that was totally in character.
idiom
0
1
out of character
  • Inconsistent with someone's general character or behavior:.
    A response so much out of character that it amazed me.
idiom
0
1
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in (or out of) character
  • Consistent with (or inconsistent with) the role or general character.
idiom
0
1

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.

  • "Every country has its own character," said he.

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

  • The character of the voters is not staked.

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

More sentences →

Related articles

Words near character in the Dictionary