Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Typical or distinctive: Being a feature or quality that helps to identify, describe, or distinguish a person, group, or thing. It represents what is usual or unique about them.

2. Noun:

   • A distinguishing quality or feature: A particular trait, attribute, or property that is typical of and helps to define a person, place, or thing.
   • A measurable property of a device under specified conditions: A technical property that can be quantified in a controlled environment.
   • The integer part of a logarithm: In mathematics, the whole number part (which can be positive or negative) of a logarithm.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She has a characteristic laugh that is easy to recognize.
  • The characteristic flavors of Italian cuisine include garlic and olive oil.

• Noun:

  • Honesty is a key characteristic of a good leader.
  • One characteristic of this smartphone is its long battery life.
  • The engineer tested the device's performance characteristics.

Advanced Usage

• "Characteristic of" (phrase): Used to indicate that a particular quality is typical of someone or something.
  • Such attention to detail is characteristic of her work.
• In technical contexts, "characteristic" can refer to a defining parameter.
  • The motor's torque-speed characteristic was plotted on a graph.

Variants and Related Words

• Characteristically (adverb): In a way that is typical of a particular person, place, or thing.
  • He characteristically arrived late to the meeting.
• Characterize (verb): To describe the distinctive nature or features of something.
  • The period was characterized by rapid technological change.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Typical, distinctive, particular, specific, representative.
• Noun: Feature, trait, attribute, quality, property, hallmark.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Uncharacteristic, atypical, unusual, abnormal.
• Noun: Anomaly, deviation.

Related Phrases

• Defining characteristic: The most important feature that identifies something.
  • The defining characteristic of a mammal is that it feeds its young with milk.
• Inherent characteristic: A natural and permanent quality of something.
  • The inherent characteristic of gold is its resistance to corrosion.

Adjective

1. typical or distinctive
   • heard my friend's characteristic laugh
   • red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn
   • stripes characteristic of the zebra

Noun

1. any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
2. the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
3. a distinguishing quality
4. a prominent attribute or aspect of something
   • the map showed roads and other features
   • generosity is one of his best characteristics