characterize

especially British, char·ac·ter·ise

[kar-ik-tuh-rahyz]

verb (used with object)

characterized, characterizing 

1. to mark or distinguish as a characteristic; be a characteristic of.

   Rich metaphors characterize his poetry.

2. to describe the character or individual quality of.

   He characterized her in a few well-chosen words.

3. to attribute character to.

   to characterize him as a coward.

characterize

/ ˈkærɪktəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to be a characteristic of

   loneliness characterized the place

2. to distinguish or mark as a characteristic

3. to describe or portray the character of

Other Word Forms

• characterizable adjective
• characterizer noun
• mischaracterize verb (used with object)
• recharacterize verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of characterize¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin charactērizāre, from Greek charaktērízein; character, -ize

Example Sentences

They had previously been characterized as entirely herbivorous, like gorillas, Goodall observed them hunting, killing and eating small mammals such as bush pigs and colobus monkeys, by any standard a complicated collaborative enterprise.

From Salon

But Goodall overcame her critics and produced work that Gould later characterized as “one of the Western world’s great scientific achievements.”

From Los Angeles Times

In short, Poast said, the president characterized the world as filled with “chaos and disorder” before his return to office, and “peaceful and prosperous” since his inauguration in January.

From Salon

While Bonta maintained these suits were based on the law, critics characterized the coordinated legal action as politically motivated resistance.

From Salon

Given the reactionary extremism that characterizes power in today’s world, it is also timely.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• define 
• describe 
• identify 
• indicate 
• mark 
• outline 
• portray 
• represent 
• symbolize