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

As in many such shows — “Abbott Elementary,” characterized as the savior of network comedy, to name but one — the workplace at hand is something of an underdog.

From Los Angeles Times

To be clear, “racial feudalism” is a term I’ve developed to describe how prominent Black liberals before the Civil War characterized slavery in the South and prejudice in the North.

From Salon

Greene, who regularly promotes far-right conspiracy theories, had previously expressed interest in leading the department and executing Trump's stated policy of mass deportations of immigrants and their children, many of whom she characterized as "terrorists."

From Salon

It's unclear on what grounds Trump plans to sue, though he has characterized the federal cases as a corrupt and politically motivated "witch-hunt."

From Salon

Despite the advanced age of the candidate, the Trump campaign was characterized by petulance and immaturity, adopting the countenance of a spoiled rich kid sneering at his mom for telling him to do his homework.

From Salon

Related Words

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