characterize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to mark or distinguish as a characteristic; be a characteristic of.
Rich metaphors characterize his poetry.
-
to describe the character or individual quality of.
He characterized her in a few well-chosen words.
-
to attribute character to.
to characterize him as a coward.
verb
-
to be a characteristic of
loneliness characterized the place
-
to distinguish or mark as a characteristic
-
to describe or portray the character of
Other Word Forms
- characterizable adjective
- characterizer noun
- mischaracterize verb (used with object)
- recharacterize verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of characterize
First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin charactērizāre, from Greek charaktērízein; character, -ize
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a recent blog post, Yardeni characterizes the current worries as ”AI derangement,” a fear that eventually will be dispelled.
From MarketWatch
Through his attorney, Jarecki denied the allegations, characterizing the relationship as consensual.
Lin characterized the overnight comments from Beijing as a warning about Section 301 action against critical sectors like electric vehicles, rare earths, or artificial-intelligence chips.
From Barron's
The two have maintained a relationship characterized as rivalry and mutual regard that is not particularly warm, having previously navigated their careers to avoid direct collision when Harris pursued the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times
Svalbard’s only university banned Chinese students last year, after Norway’s domestic intelligence service characterized them as a security risk.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
