characterize

verb

char·​ac·​ter·​ize ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz 

ˈka-rik-

characterized; characterizing

transitive verb

1

: to describe the character (see character entry 1 sense 1a) or quality of

characterizes him as ambitious

2

: to be a characteristic of : distinguish

an era characterized by greed

Synonyms

• character
• define
• depict
• describe
• portray
• represent

Examples of characterize in a Sentence

How would you characterize the situation?

I would characterize this as a positive change for our company.

She had difficulty characterizing their relationship.

His personality is hard to characterize.

Farms and large flat fields characterize most of the area.

the beliefs that characterized Europe in the 15th century

Recent Examples on the Web

These problems are characterized by algorithms that can solve them in a time that increases polynomially with the input size. —Suvarna Krishnan, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

The weighted pack can help pull your shoulders back, mitigating some of the effects of upper crossed syndrome, a condition characterized by tightness and weakness in the muscles of the neck, upper back, and shoulders, Blinch says. —Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024

This elliptic curve has the most complicated set of rational solutions ever seen: Mathematicians need at least 29 independent points to characterize them. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024

Scandinavian-style homes are a minimalist dream, characterized by simple shapes and colors, natural wood, and an emphasis on functionality over design. —Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see character entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

characterize

verb

char·​ac·​ter·​ize ˈkar-ik-tə-ˌrīz 

characterized; characterizing

1

: to point out the character of an individual or group : describe

characterize him as ambitious

2

: to be characteristic of

tragic endings characterized her stories