character sketch

American  

noun

Literature.

1. a short essay describing a person; literary profile.

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character sketch British  

noun

1. a brief description or portrayal of a person's character, qualities, etc

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Etymology

Origin of character sketch

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

I wrote that one, and within a year, every character sketch all started with jingles and montage.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2023

But this film is more of a finely detailed character sketch, about a cocky kid who becomes a hero almost by accident.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2023

Too bad the comedic, almost clowning elements in the script work against the ethical questions the film otherwise takes seriously, making the whole thing feel more like a character sketch than a fleshed-out drama.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2023

And they nod to the source material by having Wu’s character sketch Lyle in Waber’s illustration style.

From Washington Post • Oct. 6, 2022

I intend it as a character sketch of the old admiral, the veteran sailor, the young officer, the innocent woman they all loved, and—dare I say it?—the mighty ship.

From Woven with the Ship A Novel of 1865 by Brady, Cyrus Townsend

Related Words

• analysis
• biography
• chart
• review
• sketch
• study
• survey