characteristic
17 synonyms and 2 antonyms for characteristic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Typical of a particular person or thing; serving to identify it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use characteristic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek kharaktēristikos ("marked by a distinguishing feature"), from kharaktēr ("a mark, character").
Full origin of characteristic →Frequently asked questions
What does “characteristic” mean?
The word “characteristic” means typical of a particular person or thing; serving to identify it. In plain terms, a typical or defining trait, or (as an adjective) typical of someone or something.
How do you pronounce “characteristic”?
“Characteristic” is pronounced ka-ruhk-tuh-RIHS-tihk (/ˌkæɹ(ə)ktəˈɹɪstɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “characteristic” in a sentence?
Here is “characteristic” used in a sentence: “He answered with his characteristic bluntness.”
What is another word for “characteristic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “characteristic” include designation, distinction, distinctiveness, feature, owndom and parameter.
What is the opposite of “characteristic”?
The opposite of “characteristic” — its antonyms — are uncharacteristic and untypical.
What part of speech is “characteristic”?
Depending on how it is used, “characteristic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “characteristic” come from?
The word “characteristic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek kharaktēristikos ("marked by a distinguishing feature"), from kharaktēr ("a mark, character").
Is “characteristic” a common word?
“Characteristic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'characteristic' and 'trait'?
Both refer to a distinguishing feature of someone or something. 'Trait' is used most often for aspects of personality or genetics, while 'characteristic' is broader and applies to people, objects, and abstract things alike.
What is the difference between 'characteristic' and 'feature'?
A 'feature' is any notable part or aspect of something, while a 'characteristic' specifically distinguishes or identifies it as typical. Something can have a feature that is not characteristic, but a characteristic is by definition a defining or typical quality.
How is 'characteristic' used as an adjective versus as a noun?
As an adjective, 'characteristic' means typical of a particular person or thing, as in 'her characteristic smile.' As a noun, it means a distinguishing feature or quality, as in 'an important characteristic of metals.'
What is the difference between 'characteristic' and 'characteristically'?
'Characteristic' is the adjective or noun describing a typical or distinguishing quality. 'Characteristically' is the adverb, meaning in a typical manner, as in 'he characteristically arrived early.'