characterize
2 synonyms for characterize, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To describe someone or something as having particular qualities.
Synonyms
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.
How to use characterize
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
characterized by
often characterized as
Etymology
From Medieval Latin characterizo, from Ancient Greek kharaktērizō, "to mark with a distinguishing feature", from kharaktēr ("character").
Full origin of characterize →Frequently asked questions
What does “characterize” mean?
The word “characterize” means to describe someone or something as having particular qualities. In plain terms, to describe something in a particular way, or to be a defining feature of it.
How do you pronounce “characterize”?
“Characterize” is pronounced KA-ruhk-tuh-ryz (/ˈkɛɹəktəɹaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “characterize” in a sentence?
Here is “characterize” used in a sentence: “Critics characterized the plan as reckless.”
What part of speech is “characterize”?
“Characterize” is a verb.
Where does the word “characterize” come from?
The word “characterize” comes from Ancient Greek. From Medieval Latin characterizo, from Ancient Greek kharaktērizō, "to mark with a distinguishing feature", from kharaktēr ("character").
Is “characterize” a common word?
“Characterize” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “characterize” have?
“Characterize” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to describe someone or something as having particular qualities.
