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

In January, ahead of what the government characterized in a court filing as a deadline, Hennen bought a one-way ticket to Colombia connecting through Panama.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It might be easy to write these moments off as nothing more than a superficial distraction, as Arregui does early on, and characterize musicals as shallow and cliche.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies moved marginally lower early Wednesday, as digital assets failed to regain the positive momentum that has characterized the sector for much of this year.

Read more on Barron's

The concept is simple: the Chinese government would like the market to rise but prefers an orderly ascent rather than the wild ride which has often characterized its market behavior.

Read more on MarketWatch

“The third quarter was characterized by a cautious market, partly due to seasonally weak demand,” the company said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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