character

[ kar-ik-ter ]

/ ˈkær ɪk tər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR character ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.

one such feature or trait; characteristic.

moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.

qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully.

reputation: a stain on one's character.

good repute.

an account of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing.

a person, especially with reference to behavior or personality: a suspicious character.

Informal. an odd, eccentric, or unusual person.

a person represented in a drama, story, etc.

a part or role, as in a play or film.

a symbol as used in a writing system, as a letter of the alphabet.

the symbols of a writing system collectively.

a significant visual mark or symbol.

status or capacity: the character of a justice of the peace.

a written statement from an employer concerning the qualities of a former employee.

Literature. (especially in 17th- and 18th-century England) a formal character sketch or descriptive analysis of a particular human virtue or vice as represented in a person or type. Compare character sketch.

Genetics. any trait, function, structure, or substance of an organism resulting from the effect of one or more genes as modified by the environment.

Computers.

any symbol, as a number, letter, punctuation mark, etc., that represents data and that, when encoded, is usable by a machine.
one of a set of basic symbols that singly or in a series of two or more represents data and, when encoded, is usable in a computer.

a style of writing or printing.

Roman Catholic Theology. the ineffaceable imprint received on the soul through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and ordination.

(formerly) a cipher or cipher message.

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 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 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.

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

SYNONYMS FOR character

5 name, repute.

14 sign.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR character ON THESAURUS.COM

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, adjective

Words nearby character

char-grilled, char-à-banc, char., charabanc, characin, character, character actor, character armour, character assassination, character code, character dance

British Dictionary definitions for in character

character

/ (ˈkærɪktə) /

noun

the combination of traits and qualities distinguishing the individual nature of a person or thing

one such distinguishing quality; characteristic

moral force; integrity a man of character

reputation, esp a good reputation
(as modifier)character assassination

a summary or account of a person's qualities and achievements; testimonial my last employer gave me a good character

capacity, position, or status he spoke in the character of a friend rather than a father

a person represented in a play, film, story, etc; role

an outstanding person one of the great characters of the century

informal an odd, eccentric, or unusual person he's quite a character

an informal word for person a shady character

a symbol used in a writing system, such as a letter of the alphabet

Also called: sort printing any single letter, numeral, punctuation mark, or symbol cast as a type

computing any letter, numeral, etc, which is a unit of information and can be represented uniquely by a binary pattern

a style of writing or printing

genetics any structure, function, attribute, etc, in an organism, which may or may not be determined by a gene or group of genes

a short prose sketch of a distinctive type of person, usually representing a vice or virtue

in character typical of the apparent character of a person or thing

out of character not typical of the apparent character of a person or thing

verb (tr)

to write, print, inscribe, or engrave

rare to portray or represent

Derived forms of character

characterful, adjective characterless, adjective

Word Origin for character

C14: from Latin: distinguishing mark, from Greek kharaktēr engraver's tool, from kharassein to engrave, stamp

Medical definitions for in character

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 in character

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 in character

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 in character (1 of 2)

in character

Consistent with someone's general personality or behavior. For example, Her failure to answer the invitation was completely in character. This usage dates from the mid-1700s, as does the antonym, out of character, as in It was out of character for him to refuse the assignment.

Idioms and Phrases with in character (2 of 2)

character

see in character; out of character.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

character