characterize

[ kar-ik-tuh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, char·ac·ter·ized, char·ac·ter·iz·ing.

1. to mark or distinguish as a characteristic; be a characteristic of:

   Rich metaphors characterize his poetry.

2. to describe the character or individual quality of:

   He characterized her in a few well-chosen words.

3. to attribute character to:

   to characterize him as a coward.

characterize

/ ˈkærɪktəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to be a characteristic of

   loneliness characterized the place

2. to distinguish or mark as a characteristic
3. to describe or portray the character of

Derived Forms

• ˈcharacterˌizable, adjective
• ˈcharacterˌizer, noun

Other Words From

• char·ac·ter·iz·a·ble adjective
• char·ac·ter·iz·er noun
• mis·char·ac·ter·ize verb (used with object) mischaracterized mischaracterizing
• re·char·ac·ter·ize verb (used with object) recharacterized recharacterizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of characterize¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin charactērizāre, from Greek charaktērízein; character, -ize

Example Sentences

Gaetz, for his part, is echoing Trump's playbook of characterizing all accusations against him as being part of a political witch hunt.

From Salon

While most cases are mild, commonly characterized by conjunctivitis and respiratory symptoms, this previously healthy teen was hospitalized from the virus in critical condition.

From Salon

A material with this sensitivity could be valuable for engineering applications in which large-scale forces need to be measured, as in monitoring building deformations, or in biological research to characterize forces in cells.

From Science Daily

Musk has frequently taken aim at the Department of Education, characterizing it as a left-wing indoctrination tool, but has not yet called for its elimination.

From Salon

I’m not sure I can characterize what I’m feeling.

From Salon

Related Words

• define
• describe
• identify
• indicate
• mark
• outline
• portray
• represent
• symbolize