character
KA-rihk-tuh
Character (noun) means a person portrayed in a book, film, play, or other story. Example: “The main character faces a difficult choice in the final act.”
noun
1
A person portrayed in a book, film, play, or other story.
"The main character faces a difficult choice in the final act."
"The film introduces a new villain as its central character."
"Children loved the cheerful character who appeared in every episode of the show."
2
The combination of qualities and traits that make up a person's nature, especially their moral strength or honesty.
"Facing hardship revealed his true character."
"Honesty is a big part of her character, so I trust her."
"Years of hard work built his character as much as his skills."
3
A single letter, digit, or symbol, especially in writing or computing.
"The password must contain at least one special character."
"This text box accepts no more than two hundred characters."
"Each key on the keyboard types a different character."
4
A distinctive or unusual person, often amusing or eccentric.
"Her grandfather was a real character, always telling wild stories."
"The old shopkeeper was quite a character and told jokes to every customer."
"Our neighbour is a real character who wears a top hat to the shops."
How to use character
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean a person in a story, someone's inner nature and integrity, a single letter or symbol, or an eccentric individual.
Common pairings
strong character
main character
in character
lack of character
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Word forms
- Plural
- characters
- Third person singular
- characters
- Past tense
- charactered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The main _____ faces a difficult choice in the final act.
Etymology
From Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek kharaktēr, meaning "an engraved mark" — from kharassō, "to engrave" or "to scratch a mark".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “character” mean?
The word “character” means a person portrayed in a book, film, play, or other story. In plain terms, can mean a person in a story, someone's inner nature and integrity, a single letter or symbol, or an eccentric individual.
How do you pronounce “character”?
“Character” is pronounced KA-rihk-tuh (/ˈkæ.ɹɪk.tə/ in IPA).
How do you use “character” in a sentence?
Here is “character” used in a sentence: “The main character faces a difficult choice in the final act.”
What part of speech is “character”?
“Character” is a noun.
Where does the word “character” come from?
The word “character” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek kharaktēr, meaning "an engraved mark" — from kharassō, "to engrave" or "to scratch a mark".
Is “character” a common word?
“Character” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “character” have?
“Character” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person portrayed in a book, film, play, or other story.
What are the types of characters in a story?
Stories usually include a protagonist (the main character the plot follows), an antagonist (who opposes them), and supporting characters. Writers also distinguish round characters, who are complex and develop, from flat characters, who stay simple and unchanged. Minor characters fill out the world, while a narrator may or may not be a character too.
What is the difference between a character and a protagonist?
A character is any person portrayed in a story, while a protagonist is one specific character, the central figure the plot revolves around. Every protagonist is a character, but most characters are not protagonists. A story has many characters but usually only one or two protagonists, along with an opposing antagonist.
What is an example of a character?
Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, Elizabeth Bennet, and Darth Vader are all famous characters, people invented and portrayed within stories. A character can be human, animal, or entirely imaginary, and may be wholly fictional or loosely based on a real person. What defines them is their role inside the narrative.
Does 'character' only mean a person in a story?
No. Besides meaning a figure in a book or film, 'character' commonly refers to a person's moral qualities and personality, such as their integrity and temperament. It can also mean a printed letter or symbol, as in a 'character count.' The story sense is just one of several everyday meanings.
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