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

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.

From several centimeters to several meters, this flooding is generally characterized by several waves, and the first waves are not necessarily the largest.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

It has characterized these unrealized gains, on its earnings calls, as the fruits of savvy investment shopping.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Still, China’s Commerce Ministry characterized the results as preliminary in nature, adding that negotiators from the two sides are working to finalize details of the agreed-upon points.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Litafik, a seasoned Kentucky political strategist, which he characterized as the heart of Massie’s specific brand of conservative politics.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

With the obsessive attention to detail that characterized his brand of dogged genius, Rosellini purged his life of all but the most primitive tools, which he fashioned from native materials with his own hands.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

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