characterized

American

[kar-ik-tuh-rahyzd] / ˈkær ɪk təˌraɪzd /

especially British, characterised

adjective

having been described or distinguished.

Further identification is possible by comparing the unknown organism with a characterized organism.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of characterize.

Other Word Forms

noncharacterized adjective
uncharacterized adjective
well-characterized adjective

Etymology

Origin of characterized

characterize ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The researchers characterized the device as needed to help develop marine resources.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

He characterized AI as a “seminal shift” and one of the fastest-moving technologies in history.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

But in a recent conversation I had with Lawrence, his co-creator Matt Tarses, and Carell before the debut of “Rooster,” Lawrence characterized it simply.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

He characterized the historic site as “rusting and rotting.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Here is Bertrand Russell using it to explain the movement called romanticism: The romantic movement is characterized, as a whole, by the substitution of aesthetic for utilitarian standards.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023