characterize
//ˈkæɹəktəɹaɪz//
formalForms
- present (v1)
- characterize
- past (v2)
- characterized
- past participle (v3)
- characterized
- present participle
- characterizing
- 3rd person singular
- characterizes
Definitions
1.To depict someone or something a particular way (often negative).
2.To be typical of.
- There is no way to avoid the slight cups, crooks, bows and twists that characterize wood.
3.To determine the characteristics of.
- The second level of reading we will call Inspectional Reading. It is characterized by its special emphasis on time.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3309
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
Etymology tree
Ancient Greek χαράσσω (kharássō)
Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr
Ancient Greek -τήρ (-tḗr)
Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr)
Proto-Indo-European *-id-
Proto-Indo-European *-yéti
Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti
Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō
Ancient Greek -ίζω (-ízō)