- character */*/*/
- UK [ˈkærɪktə(r)] / US [ˈkerəktər]
noun
Word forms "character":
singular character plural characters1)a) [countable, usually singular] the qualities that make up someone's personalityin/out of character (= typical/not typical of someone's usual behaviour):Stinginess with money was one aspect of Steve's character that I didn't like.
I can't understand why Simon refused to help; it seems so out of character.
b) [singular] the qualities that people from a particular place are believed to haveHe understood so much about our national character.
2)a) [countable/uncountable] the qualities that make something clearly different from anything elseEach of his books has its own distinctive character.
character of:The two villages are similar in size but very different in character.
The house was not in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.
b) a quality that makes something interesting or attractivea traditional hotel with a lot of character and charm
3) [countable/uncountable] someone's reputation, especially when this shows how honest or reliable they areHow dare she cast a slur on my character?
My client is a man of good character.
4) [countable] a person in a book, play, film etcthe main/central character:The book has a solid plot and likeable characters.
The film's central character is played by George Clooney.
5)a) [countable] a person of a particular typeMcMahon is one of the sport's most colourful characters.
a reformed/changed character:a shady/suspicious/unsavoury character
Jake used to be pretty wild, but he's a reformed character now.
b) informal someone with special qualities that make them different from most people and interesting to knowa real character:She was quite a character, I can tell you.
You'd like Joe, he's a real character.
6) [uncountable] good personal qualities, especially the qualities of being brave and determined when doing something difficultShe had to stand up and make a speech to 500 people, so it was quite a test of character.
character-building (= helping to develop someone's character):The team showed real character in coming back from two goals down.
the idea of competitive sport as a character-building activity
7) [countable] a letter, number, or symbol that is written, printed, or used in computer programsThe password may be up to 12 characters long.
English dictionary. 2014.