Definition

1. Noun:

   • The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual: The combination of traits and qualities that form the individual nature of a person.
   • A person in a novel, play, or film: An imaginary person represented in a work of fiction.
   • A printed or written letter or symbol: A single letter, number, or other mark used in writing or printing.
   • A characteristic, especially one that assists in identification: A distinctive quality or feature.
   • Reputation, especially good reputation: The collective qualities that earn a person public esteem.

2. Verb (archaic):

   • To inscribe or write: To engrave or write letters or symbols.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Moral qualities):

  • Honesty and integrity are key aspects of her character.
  • The experience helped to build his character.

• Noun (Fictional person):

  • The main character in the story is a young detective.
  • She developed the character's background in great detail.

• Noun (Written symbol):

  • The password must be at least eight characters long.
  • This ancient script uses thousands of different characters.

• Noun (Distinctive quality):

  • The old houses give the neighborhood its unique character.
  • The plan has a practical character.

• Noun (Reputation):

  • He is a man of good character and is highly respected.
  • She defended her professional character against the accusations.

• Verb (Archaic):

  • The stone was charactered with runic symbols.

Advanced Usage

• "In character": Behaving in a way that is consistent with a person's established traits or a fictional role.

  • His generous donation was completely in character.
  • The actor stayed in character even off-stage.

• "Out of character": Behaving in a way that is not consistent with a person's established traits.

  • It was out of character for her to be so rude.

• "Character assassination": The malicious and unjustified harming of a person's good reputation.

  • The article was a vicious piece of character assassination.

Variants and Related Words

• Characteristic (noun/adjective): A distinguishing feature or quality.
  • The ability to fly is a characteristic of birds.
• Characterize (verb): To describe the distinctive nature of; to be a characteristic of.
  • The period was characterized by rapid innovation.
• Characterless (adjective): Lacking distinctive or interesting qualities.
  • The building was a characterless concrete block.

Synonyms

• Nature (for inherent qualities)
• Personality (for individual traits)
• Figure or Persona (for a fictional person)
• Letter or Symbol (for a written mark)
• Reputation or Standing (for public esteem)

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A character reference: A statement about a person's qualities and suitability, often for employment.
  • My former boss provided a glowing character reference.
• Character building: An experience that strengthens one's moral or mental qualities.
  • Many see team sports as a form of character building.
• Judge someone's character: To form an opinion about someone's moral qualities.
  • He was good at judging a person's character quickly.

Noun

1. (genetics) an attribute (structural or functional) that is determined by a gene or group of genes
2. a written symbol that is used to represent speech
   • the Greek alphabet has 24 characters
3. a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability
   • requests for character references are all too often answered evasively
4. good repute
   • he is a man of character
5. a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
   • a real character
   • a strange character
   • a friendly eccentric
   • the capable type
   • a mental case
6. an actor's portrayal of someone in a play
   • she played the part of Desdemona
7. the inherent complex of attributes that determines a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions
   • education has for its object the formation of character- Herbert Spencer
8. a characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something
   • each town has a quality all its own
   • the radical character of our demands
9. an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
   • she is the main character in the novel

Verb

1. engrave or inscribe characters on