character
/ˈkerɪktɚ/
noun
plural
characters
character
/ˈkerɪktɚ/
noun
plural
characters
Britannica Dictionary definition of CHARACTER
1
[count]
:
the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves
:
someone's personality
— usually singular
-
He rarely shows his true character—that of a kind and sensitive person.
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This is a side of her character that few people have seen.
-
the different aspects/facets of her character
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— often used before another noun
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Certain character traits are helpful in the teaching profession.
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Pride, his one character flaw, caused his downfall.
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2
[count]
:
a set of qualities that are shared by many people in a group, country, etc.
— usually singular
-
the character of the American people
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the character of a nation
-
the French/Japanese/Mexican national character
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3
a
:
a set of qualities that make a place or thing different from other places or things
[count]
-
the wine's distinctive character
-
the unique character of the town/city/region
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[noncount]
-
The building is very simple in character.
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◊ If something is in character with something else, it has the same qualities or characteristics as something else. This room is not really in character with the rest of the house. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
b
[noncount]
:
the qualities or characteristics that make something interesting or special
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The room lacks character. [=there's nothing special about the room]
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Their house has a lot of character.
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4
[count]
:
a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show
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The film's main characters are a woman in her late 30s and her elderly neighbor.
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She plays the film's lead/main/central character.
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a fictional character [=a character in a work of fiction]
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a popular cartoon character
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the title character of the book Tom Sawyer [=the character named Tom Sawyer]
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— see also cast of characters at 2cast
5
[count]
informal
a
:
a particular type of person
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He's a strange/interesting character.
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b
:
a person who says or does funny or unusual things
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That husband of yours is a real character!
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She's quite a character.
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6
[noncount]
a
:
the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness
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She's a kind and honest person of good character.
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They believe that going to church will improve the moral character of their children.
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He is admired for his strength of character in stressful situations.
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Playing sports is seen as a way to build character in young people. = Playing sports is seen as character-building for young people.
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◊ A test of (your) character is something that is difficult and that requires you to show that you are a good and emotionally strong person. These past few days have been a real test of my character. [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples
b
:
the usually good beliefs or opinions that most people have about a particular person
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They defended the character [=reputation] of their friend.
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an attack on his character
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7
[count]
:
a symbol (such as a letter or number) that is used in writing or printing
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the Chinese character for “water”
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The line is 30 characters long.
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in character, out of character
— used to say that some action or behavior is or is not like someone's usual way of behaving
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It was entirely in character for a generous person like her to give him the money.
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His rudeness was completely out of character. [=he is not usually rude]
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