Word
characterize
Meanings
to describe the main qualities or features of someone or something
to be a typical feature of something; to distinguish it from others
Definition
To characterize something is to describe its typical features or to be a defining feature of it.
To characterize means to describe the main qualities or features of a person, thing, place, or period. It is often used in academic or formal writing to summarize what is typical or distinctive. The word can also mean that a particular feature is typical of something and helps define it. It commonly answers the question “What is it like, overall?”
Examples
- In her lecture, Dr. Patel characterized the novel as a critique of social ambition rather than a simple romance.
- The journalist characterized the meeting as tense, noting the long pauses and guarded body language.
- I wouldn’t characterize my approach as strict; I prefer clear expectations with room for discussion.
- They characterized the neighborhood as lively, with street music, late-night cafés, and constant foot traffic.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "characterize" with "characterise"—they mean the same, but the first is US spelling and the second is UK spelling.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.