Character
Definition
Character is a noun and verb. As a noun, it refers to the qualities or traits that define a person or thing, a fictional person in a story, or a symbol used in writing. As a verb, it means to engrave, inscribe, or represent with distinctive qualities.
Parts of Speech
- Noun
- Verb
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkærɪktər/
- Respelling: KAIR-ik-ter
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈkærɪktə/
- Respelling: KAIR-ik-tuh
Etymology
The word "character" originates from the Greek "kharaktēr," meaning "engraved mark" or "distinctive feature," derived from "kharassein" (to engrave). Through Latin and Old French, it entered Middle English with meanings relating to distinguishing qualities or written symbols.
Derivatives
- Characterization (noun)
- Characterize (verb)
- Characterless (adjective)
- Characteristic (noun/adjective)
- Charactery (noun, rare)
Synonyms
- Personality
- Trait
- Symbol
Antonyms
- None
Usage
The term "character" is widely used to refer to distinguishing traits, fictional personas, or symbols in written language. For example, "She has a strong character," or "The main character in the novel is a hero."
Related Terms
- Personality: The combination of traits and qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.
- Identity: The qualities, beliefs, and personality that define a person.
- Letter: A symbol representing a sound in written language, often considered a type of character.
Detailed Definitions
Noun
- The qualities or traits defining an individual or thing: Refers to the mental, moral, or behavioral qualities unique to a person or entity.
- Example: "Her honesty is a part of her character."
- A person in a story, novel, or play: Refers to a fictional figure that plays a role in a narrative.
- Example: "The character of Hamlet is complex and nuanced."
- A symbol used in writing: A letter, numeral, punctuation mark, or other symbol in written language.
- Example: "Each character in the password must be unique."
Verb
- To engrave or inscribe with distinctive qualities: Used when describing the act of marking something with a particular feature or quality.
- Example: "They charactered the monument with meaningful symbols."
character
Children adored the cartoon, especially the main character with its infectious smile and quirky antics.
The actor's portrayal of the character was so convincing.
The intricate calligraphy character is a testament to the artist's skill.
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Chinese)
- 字符 (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʈ͡ʂʐ̩˥fu˧˥/
- Respelling in English: zìfú
- 性格 (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɕɪŋ˥˩ kɤ˧˥/
- Respelling in English: xìnggé
🇮🇳 Hindi
- अक्षर (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /əkʂər/
- Respelling in English: akṣar
- चरित्र (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʧəritrə/
- Respelling in English: charitra
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Carácter (written symbol/person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kaˈɾakteɾ/
- Respelling in English: carácter
- Personalidad (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /peɾsonaˈliðað/
- Respelling in English: personalidad
🇫🇷 French
- Caractère (written symbol/person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ka.ʁak.tɛʁ/
- Respelling in English: caractère
- Personnalité (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɛʁ.sɔ.na.li.te/
- Respelling in English: personnalité
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- حرف (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ħarf/
- Respelling in English: ḥarf
- شخصية (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃaχsiːjah/
- Respelling in English: shakhṣīyah
🇧🇩 Bengali
- অক্ষর (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɔkkhɔr/
- Respelling in English: akkhor
- চরিত্র (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʧoritro/
- Respelling in English: charitro
🇷🇺 Russian
- Символ (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsʲimbəl/
- Respelling in English: simvol
- Характер (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /xəˈraktʲɪr/
- Respelling in English: kharakter
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Caráter (written symbol/person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kaˈɾatɛʁ/
- Respelling in English: caráter
- Personalidade (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɨʁsunalidadi/
- Respelling in English: personalidade
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Karakter (written symbol/person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /karaktɛr/
- Respelling in English: karakter
- Sifat (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /sifat/
- Respelling in English: sifat
🇩🇪 German
- Zeichen (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈt͡saɪ̯çən/
- Respelling in English: zeichen
- Charakter (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʃaˈʁaktɐ/
- Respelling in English: charakter
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 文字 (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /moɲdʑi/
- Respelling in English: moji
- 性格 (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /seikaku/
- Respelling in English: seikaku
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Ký tự (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ki˧ˀ˦ tu˧˩/
- Respelling in English: ký tự
- Tính cách (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /tiɲ˧ˀ˦ kat͡ʃ˧/
- Respelling in English: tính cách
🇰🇷 Korean
- 문자 (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /mun.d͡ʑa/
- Respelling in English: munja
- 성격 (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /sʌŋ.ɡjʌk̚/
- Respelling in English: seonggyeok
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Karakter (written symbol/person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kaːraktær/
- Respelling in English: karakter
🇵🇰 Urdu
- حرف (written symbol)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ħurf/
- Respelling in English: ḥurf
- خصوصیت (person's qualities)
- IPA Pronunciation: /xʊˈsuːsiət/
- Respelling in English: khusūsiyat
