characteristic

1 of 2

noun

char·ac·ter·is·tic ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik How to pronounce characteristic (audio)

ˌka-rik-

: a distinguishing trait, quality, or property

the characteristics of this breed of dog

: the integral part of a common logarithm

: the smallest positive integer n which for an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element is used n times with the operation

characteristic

2 of 2

adjective

: revealing, distinguishing, or typical of an individual character

a poetic style characteristic of the epic

characteristically

ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce characteristic (audio)

ˌka-rik-

adverb

Example Sentences

Noun the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals Adjective He responded to their comments with characteristic good humor. the characteristic taste of licorice

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

What is the relationship between that characteristic and being equally perceived as authentic?

Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 The film dives into Hong’s interest in structure — a defining characteristic of his work to date — this time exploring the literal structure of the building which serves as a central figure to the plot.

Ej Panaligan, Variety, 8 Aug. 2022 With Walk Up, Hong returns to an interest in structure, a defining characteristic of his work.

Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2022 In the photo, the whale’s sharp dorsal fin can be seen on top of its body as well as a white band on its flipper — a defining characteristic of minke whales, according to Webber.

Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, 24 July 2022 That’s ultimately the characteristic of the Rays the Red Sox most hope to emulate — cost efficiency.

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 This characteristic had previously only been seen in variants in other regions of the world, alerting experts that something was different.

Abraar Karan, Scientific American, 13 July 2022 The silhouette references shoes and socks characteristic of 15th-century Japanese workers.

Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2022 The bustling college district gives way to a downtown of brick facades characteristic of Old West towns established in the mid-1800s.

Leah Sottile, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2022

Adjective

The social problems characteristic of areas with failing schools—crime, gangs, drugs, prostitution, broken homes, homelessness and dilapidation—are not to be found in Hasidic neighborhoods.

WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 The silencing of music was anything but characteristic of Elizabeth.

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 The camera and lights are triggered by a combination of depth and the movements characteristic of a strike, a system that makes the most of the tag’s limited battery power.

Stephanie Pain, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2022 The first section of The Norm unfolds through hazy vignettes set against various scenes characteristic of Soviet life.

Jennifer Wilson, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 The proceedings took a grim turn quickly, when Judge Philip M. Halpern started asking questions characteristic of all guilty plea proceedings.

Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2022 In honor of the Big Apple, the expression builds upon the subtle apple notes already characteristic of The Macallan.

Rachel.maree.cormack@gmail.com, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2022 Godfrey's experience includes episodes of major depression and hypomania (milder than mania) characteristic of bipolar II.

Emily Strohm, PEOPLE.com, 9 Mar. 2022 Black peppercorns are simply green peppercorns that have been blanched and then dried, which causes the outer layer of the fruit to darken to its characteristic brown-black color.

Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022 See More

Kids Definition

characteristic 1 of 2

noun

char·ac·ter·is·tic ˌker-ək-tə-ˈri-stik How to pronounce characteristic (audio)

: a special quality or appearance that makes an individual or a group different from others

physical characteristics

Gentleness is a characteristic of this dog breed.

characteristic

2 of 2

adjective

: serving to distinguish an individual or a group : typical of a person, thing, or group

He replied with characteristic good humor.

characteristic 1 of 2

noun

as in trait

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

trait
feature
attribute
quality
criterion
attribution
hallmark
peculiarity
specific
property
particularity
mark
diagnostic
character
marker
symbol
affection
fingerprint
touch
indication
stamp
sign
differentia
point
note
virtue
emblem
uniqueness
charm
merit
token
badge
eccentricity
grace
excellence
idiosyncrasy
individuality
singularity
quirk
oddity

characteristic

2 of 2

adjective

as in distinctive

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the characteristic taste of licorice

Synonyms & Similar Words

distinctive
distinguishing
distinct
typical
peculiar
unmistakable
individual
symptomatic
identifying
diagnostic
classic
discriminating
diagnostical
idiosyncratic
proper
identifiable
common
particular
specific
general
usual
generic
pronounced
special
paradigmatic
normal
model
archetypal
especial
regular
archetypical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

atypical
uncharacteristic
untypical
nontypical

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind the characteristic wit and good-naturedness of the Irish

Synonyms & Similar Words

typical
normal
standard
true
average
usual
representative
regular
archetypal
common
classic
archetypical
ordinary
customary
predominant
conventional
vintage
commonplace
familiar
predictable
preponderant
habitual
everyday
textbook
expected
workaday
unremarkable
wonted
routine
unexceptional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

atypical
abnormal
unusual
anomalous
distinctive
uncommon
aberrant
unique
special
deviant
untypical
irregular
remarkable
extraordinary
exceptional
peculiar
rare
singular
noteworthy
unexpected
unconventional
especial
idiosyncratic
unpredictable
unfamiliar
infrequent
unwonted
nontypical
nonrepresentative
eccentric
unknown
strange
unorthodox
odd
uncustomary
rare
singular
nonconformist
quirky
curious
oddball
funny
erratic
outlandish
funky
offbeat
bizarre
wacky
unnatural
weird
outrageous
fantastic
freakish
wild
fantastical
whacky
freak
screwy
outré
way-out
kooky
kookie
out-of-the-way
far-out

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic, distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

单词	characteristic
释义	characteristic 1 of 2 noun char·ac·ter·is·tic ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik ˌka-rik- 1 : a distinguishing trait, quality, or property the characteristics of this breed of dog 2 : the integral part of a common logarithm 3 : the smallest positive integer n which for an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element is used n times with the operation characteristic 2 of 2 adjective : revealing, distinguishing, or typical of an individual character a poetic style characteristic of the epic characteristically ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē ˌka-rik- adverb Synonyms Noun affection attribute attribution character criterion diagnostic differentia feature fingerprint hallmark mark marker note particularity peculiarity point property quality specific stamp touch trait Adjective classic diagnostic diagnostical discriminating distinct distinctive distinguishing identifying individual peculiar proper symptomatic typical See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals Adjective He responded to their comments with characteristic good humor. the characteristic taste of licorice Recent Examples on the Web Noun What is the relationship between that characteristic and being equally perceived as authentic? Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 The film dives into Hong’s interest in structure — a defining characteristic of his work to date — this time exploring the literal structure of the building which serves as a central figure to the plot. Ej Panaligan, Variety, 8 Aug. 2022 With Walk Up, Hong returns to an interest in structure, a defining characteristic of his work. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2022 In the photo, the whale’s sharp dorsal fin can be seen on top of its body as well as a white band on its flipper — a defining characteristic of minke whales, according to Webber. Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, 24 July 2022 That’s ultimately the characteristic of the Rays the Red Sox most hope to emulate — cost efficiency. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 This characteristic had previously only been seen in variants in other regions of the world, alerting experts that something was different. Abraar Karan, Scientific American, 13 July 2022 The silhouette references shoes and socks characteristic of 15th-century Japanese workers. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2022 The bustling college district gives way to a downtown of brick facades characteristic of Old West towns established in the mid-1800s. Leah Sottile, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2022 Adjective The social problems characteristic of areas with failing schools—crime, gangs, drugs, prostitution, broken homes, homelessness and dilapidation—are not to be found in Hasidic neighborhoods. WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 The silencing of music was anything but characteristic of Elizabeth. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2022 The camera and lights are triggered by a combination of depth and the movements characteristic of a strike, a system that makes the most of the tag’s limited battery power. Stephanie Pain, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2022 The first section of The Norm unfolds through hazy vignettes set against various scenes characteristic of Soviet life. Jennifer Wilson, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 The proceedings took a grim turn quickly, when Judge Philip M. Halpern started asking questions characteristic of all guilty plea proceedings. Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2022 In honor of the Big Apple, the expression builds upon the subtle apple notes already characteristic of The Macallan. Rachel.maree.cormack@gmail.com, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2022 Godfrey's experience includes episodes of major depression and hypomania (milder than mania) characteristic of bipolar II. Emily Strohm, PEOPLE.com, 9 Mar. 2022 Black peppercorns are simply green peppercorns that have been blanched and then dried, which causes the outer layer of the fruit to darken to its characteristic brown-black color. Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun see character entry 1 Adjective see character entry 1 First Known Use Noun 1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective 1647, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing characteristic characteristic equation characteristic root characteristic vector secondary sex characteristic characteristic value characteristic polynomial characteristic equation characteristic root characteristic vector secondary sex characteristic characteristic value characteristic polynomial Kids Definition characteristic 1 of 2 noun char·ac·ter·is·tic ˌker-ək-tə-ˈri-stik : a special quality or appearance that makes an individual or a group different from others physical characteristics Gentleness is a characteristic of this dog breed. characteristic 2 of 2 adjective : serving to distinguish an individual or a group : typical of a person, thing, or group He replied with characteristic good humor. Medical Definition characteristic 1 of 2 adjective char·ac·ter·is·tic ˌkar-ik-tə-ˈris-tik : serving to reveal and distinguish the individual character characteristic 2 of 2 noun : a distinguishing trait, quality, or property characteristic 1 of 2 noun as in trait something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance trait feature attribute quality criterion attribution hallmark peculiarity specific property particularity mark diagnostic character marker symbol affection fingerprint touch indication stamp sign differentia point note virtue emblem uniqueness charm merit token badge eccentricity grace excellence idiosyncrasy individuality singularity quirk oddity characteristic 2 of 2 adjective 1 as in distinctive serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group the characteristic taste of licorice Synonyms & Similar Words distinctive distinguishing distinct typical peculiar unmistakable individual symptomatic identifying diagnostic classic discriminating diagnostical idiosyncratic proper identifiable common particular specific general usual generic pronounced special paradigmatic normal model archetypal especial regular archetypical Antonyms & Near Antonyms atypical uncharacteristic untypical nontypical 2 as in typical having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind the characteristic wit and good-naturedness of the Irish Synonyms & Similar Words typical normal standard true average usual representative regular archetypal common classic archetypical ordinary customary predominant conventional vintage commonplace familiar predictable preponderant habitual everyday textbook expected workaday unremarkable wonted routine unexceptional Antonyms & Near Antonyms atypical abnormal unusual anomalous distinctive uncommon aberrant unique special deviant untypical irregular remarkable extraordinary exceptional peculiar rare singular noteworthy unexpected unconventional especial idiosyncratic unpredictable unfamiliar infrequent unwonted nontypical nonrepresentative eccentric unknown strange unorthodox odd uncustomary rare singular nonconformist quirky curious oddball funny erratic outlandish funky offbeat bizarre wacky unnatural weird outrageous fantastic freakish wild fantastical whacky freak screwy outré way-out kooky kookie out-of-the-way far-out See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of characteristic are distinctive, individual, and peculiar. While all these words mean "indicating a special quality or identity," characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class. responded with her characteristic wit While in some cases nearly identical to characteristic, distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy. a distinctive aura of grace and elegance Although the words individual and characteristic have much in common, individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class. a highly individual writing style The meanings of peculiar and characteristic largely overlap; however, peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness. an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British
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characteristic

noun

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing characteristic

Kids Definition

noun

adjective

Medical Definition

adjective

noun

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser