characterization

[ kar-ik-ter-uh-zey-shuhn, -truh-zey- ]

/ ˌkær ɪk tər əˈzeɪ ʃən, -trəˈzeɪ- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR characterization ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

portrayal; description: the actor's characterization of a politician.

the act of characterizing or describing the individual quality of a person or thing.

the creation and convincing representation of fictitious characters, as in a literary work.

Nearby words

Origin of characterization

1560–70; < Medieval Latin charactērizāt(us) marked (past participle of charactērizāre to characterize; see -ate¹) + Latin -iōn- -ion

SYNONYMS FOR characterization

1. representation, depiction, delineation.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR characterization ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsre·char·ac·ter·i·za·tion, nounself-char·ac·ter·i·za·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for characterization

Hitchcock has a few preliminary ideas for camera moves, and I make a few proposals about characterization and dialogue.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When asked if this characterization had any validity, Raimondo seemed taken aback—I am what?
Meet Gina Raimondo, the Only Democratic Star of 2014|David Freedlander|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Needless to say, Howie disagrees with that characterization.
South Dakota's Bizarre Four-Way (Senate Election, That Is)|Ben Jacobs|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My characterization of radio host Alex Jones (a frequent promoter of the Pauls) sparked outrage among his devotees.
Dear Moon Landing Deniers: Sorry I Called You Moon Landing Deniers|Olivia Nuzzi|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Each campaign is convinced that its characterization of its opponent is accurate and will resonate with the electorate.
The Bruce Braley-Joni Ernst Race Is Iowa’s Ugliest Senate Campaign Ever|Ben Jacobs|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The real Basine was a characterization he maintained for the benefit of others.
Gargoyles|Ben Hecht
His other large novel, 'Jossele Ssolowee,' is also a characterization of the life of an artist, this time a singer.
The History of Yiddish Literature in the Nineteenth Century|Leo Wiener
Thus used, dialect is one of the chief aids to characterization.
Dramatic Technique|George Pierce Baker
In respect of characterization this play is exceedingly rich, and this too both in quantity and quality.
Shakespeare: His Life, Art, And Characters, Volume I.|H. N. Hudson
In her characterization she had all the defects of Scott: she worked largely with externals.
A History of American Literature Since 1870|Fred Lewis Pattee

British Dictionary definitions for characterization