character
[ kar-ik-ter ]
/ ˈkær ɪk tər /
noun
adjective
Theater.
- (of a part or role) representing a personality type, especially by emphasizing distinctive traits, as language, mannerisms, physical makeup, etc.
- (of an actor or actress) acting or specializing in such roles.
verb (used with object) Archaic.
to portray; describe.
to engrave; inscribe.
Idioms for character
- in harmony with one's personal character or disposition: Such behavior is not in character for him.
- in accordance with the role or personality assumed in a performance: an actor in character.
- out of harmony with one's personal character or disposition: Her remarks were out of character.
- away from the role or personality assumed in a performance: The actor stepped out of character.
in character,
out of character,
Origin of character
1275–1325; < Latin < Greek
charaktḗr graving tool, its mark, equivalent to
charak- (base of
charáttein to engrave) +
-tēr agent suffix; replacing Middle English
caractere < Middle French < Latin, as above
synonym study for character
1.
Character,
individuality,
personality refer to the sum of the characteristics possessed by a person.
Character refers especially to moral qualities, ethical standards, principles, and the like:
a man of sterling character.
Individuality refers to the distinctive qualities that make one recognizable as a person differentiated from others:
a woman of strong individuality.
Personality refers particularly to the combination of outer and inner characteristics that determine the impression that a person makes upon others:
a child of vivid or pleasing personality.
5. See
reputation.
OTHER WORDS FROM character
char·ac·ter·less, adjective un·char·ac·tered, adjectiveWords nearby character
Example sentences from the Web for characters
British Dictionary definitions for characters
character
/ (ˈkærɪktə) /
noun
verb (tr)
to write, print, inscribe, or engrave
rare
to portray or represent
Derived forms of character
characterful, adjective characterless, adjectiveWord Origin for character
C14: from Latin: distinguishing mark, from Greek
kharaktēr engraver's tool, from
kharassein to engrave, stamp
Medical definitions for characters
character
[ kăr′ək-tər ]
n.
A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category.
A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes.
In psychoanalysis, an individual's personality or temperament.
Scientific definitions for characters
character
[ kăr′ək-tər ]
Genetics
A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or a group of genes.
Computer Science
A symbol, such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark, that occupies one byte of memory. See more at ASCII.
Cultural definitions for characters
character
A person in a literary work. For example, Ebenezer Scrooge is a character in A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.
Idioms and Phrases with characters
character
see in character; out of character.