Characteristic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik/ char·ac·ter·is·tic

Meaning & Definition of Characteristic

Characteristic (noun)

  1. a distinguishing trait, quality, or property
  2. the integral part of a common logarithm
  3. the smallest positive integer n which for an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element is used n times with the operation

Characteristic (adjective)

  1. revealing, distinguishing, or typical of an individual character

Characteristic (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind

    "the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals"

    similar: affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait
    related: badge, indication, sign, emblem, symbol, token, charm, grace, excellence, merit, virtue, eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk, individuality, singularity, uniqueness

Characteristic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group

    "the characteristic taste of licorice"

    similar: classic, diagnostic, discriminating, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical
    related: idiosyncratic, identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable, general, generic, common, normal, regular, usual, especial, particular, special, specific, archetypal, model, paradigmatic
    opposite: atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical

  2. having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind

    "the characteristic wit and good-naturedness of the Irish"

    similar: archetypal, average, normal, regular, representative, standard, true, typical
    related: common, commonplace, conventional, customary, everyday, ordinary, usual, wonted, workaday, classic, textbook, vintage, expected, familiar, habitual, predictable, routine, unexceptional, unremarkable, predominant, preponderant
    opposite: aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, deviant, irregular, nonrepresentative, nontypical, untypical
    near: uncommon, unconventional, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted, distinctive, especial, exceptional, extraordinary, infrequent, noteworthy, rare, remarkable, singular, special, unexpected, unfamiliar, unique, unpredictable, eccentric, idiosyncratic, nonconformist, peculiar, unknown, unorthodox, curious, erratic, funky, funny, odd, oddball, offbeat, outlandish, quirky, screwy, strange, wacky, way-out, bizarre, fantastic, far-out, freak, freakish, kooky, out-of-the-way, outrageous, outré, unnatural, weird, wild

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Characteristic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Characteristic:

affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait, classic, discriminating, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical, archetypal, average, normal, regular, representative, standard, true

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Characteristic

Words with the opposite meaning of Characteristic:

atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical, aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, deviant, irregular, nonrepresentative

Related Words for Characteristic

badge, indication, sign, emblem, symbol, token, charm, grace, excellence, merit, virtue, eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, quirk, individuality, singularity, uniqueness, idiosyncratic, identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable, general, generic, common, usual, especial, particular, special, model

Near Antonyms of Characteristic

uncommon, unconventional, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted, distinctive, especial, exceptional, extraordinary, infrequent, noteworthy, rare, remarkable, singular, special, unexpected, unfamiliar, unique, unpredictable, eccentric, idiosyncratic, nonconformist, peculiar, unknown, unorthodox, curious, erratic, funky, funny, odd

Word Forms of Characteristic

Inflections: characteristics

Derived words: characteristically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Characteristic

First known use: 1646

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Characteristic

Words & Phrases Containing Characteristic

characteristic equation, characteristic polynomial, characteristic root, characteristic value, characteristic vector, secondary sex characteristic

Frequently Asked Questions about Characteristic

What does "Characteristic" mean?

"Characteristic" means a distinguishing trait, quality, or property. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a distinguishing trait, quality, or property. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Characteristic"?

Other words for "Characteristic" include affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia and feature. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Characteristic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Characteristic"?

There are 89 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Characteristic". Common alternatives include affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, fingerprint and hallmark.

What is the opposite of "Characteristic"?

Antonyms of "Characteristic" include atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical, aberrant, abnormal, anomalous and deviant. Near antonyms include uncommon, unconventional, uncustomary and unusual.

How do you use "Characteristic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Characteristic" in a sentence: "the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals"; "the characteristic taste of licorice"; "the characteristic wit and good-naturedness of the Irish".

Is "Characteristic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Characteristic" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Characteristic" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Characteristic" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Characteristic"?

"Characteristic" is pronounced /ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik/ and divided into syllables as char·ac·ter·is·tic.