characteristic
/,kæriktə'ristik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- typical or distinctive
- heard my friend's characteristic laugh
- red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn
- stripes characteristic of the zebra
Noun
- any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
- the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
- a distinguishing quality
- a prominent attribute or aspect of something
- the map showed roads and other features
- generosity is one of his best characteristics