characteristic
noun
, ËŒka-rik-\
Definition of characteristic
(Entry 1 of 2)
characteristic
adjectiveDefinition of characteristic (Entry 2 of 2)
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Other Words from characteristic
Adjective
, ËŒka-rik- \
adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms for characteristic
Synonyms: Noun
affection, attribute, attribution, character, criterion, diagnostic, differentia, feature, fingerprint, hallmark, mark, marker, note, particularity, peculiarity, point, property, quality, specific, stamp, touch, trait
Synonyms: Adjective
classic, diagnostic (also diagnostical), discriminating, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical
Antonyms: Adjective
atypical, nontypical, uncharacteristic, untypical
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Examples of characteristic in a Sentence
Noun
the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animalsAdjective
He responded to their comments with characteristic good humor. the characteristic taste of licorice
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Over the last 15 years, other species of azhdarchids have been unearthed in Europe and North Africa, allowing researchers to better understand the characteristics and differences within the group. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Massive ‘Ice Dragon’ Ruled the Skies Above Ancient Alberta," 11 Sep. 2019 Representatives from the Netherlands will be at Four Town Fairgrounds to inspect the Friesian horses and goals on their movement, conformation, fitness and breed characteristics. — courant.com, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 11 Sep. 2019 Physical characteristics also affect recruitment at lower levels. — The Economist, "The eyes have it," 8 Sep. 2019 Because of these special characteristics, it is believed that new sides will be hidden. — Manveena Suri And Swati Gupta, CNN, "India's historic landing on moon's polar surface may have failed," 6 Sep. 2019 Because of these special characteristics, it is believed that new sides will be hidden. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "Early signs are that India’s moon mission has failed," 6 Sep. 2019 The video above offers a closer look at some of the best (or most unique) forehands in tennis, and breaks down the characteristics that make this fundamental move so worth watching. — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, "Consider the Forehand," 4 Sep. 2019 The grapes’ various characteristics seem resilient in the face of viticultural challenges, explains Florian Reyne, general manager of Planète Bordeaux vineyards. — Fortune, "Can New Grapes Save the Wine Industry From Climate Change?," 31 Aug. 2019 In other states, Gran noted, stream experts are mimicking some beaver dam characteristics in rivers to help prevent erosion, slowing high flow events to keep the river more clear for trout. — John Myers, Twin Cities, "Damming question: Can beaver and trout coexist? ‘We don’t know yet.’," 26 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Her boss had another characteristic sound: Yelling, and a lot of it. — Chris Woolston, Quartz at Work, "How to deal with an abusive boss," 29 Aug. 2019 Both refreshing and characteristic of many with ASD, the proclivity for honesty can be problematic for job seekers. — Caryn M. Sullivan, Twin Cities, "Caryn M. Sullivan: For would-be employees and amenable employers, opportunity for a happy dance," 23 June 2019 All the characteristic Winogrand elements are to be found: energy, surprise, voraciousness, avidity, dauntlessness, wit, alertness, muscularity, gusto, slyness, insolence, stunned wonder (that especially). — Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, "Garry Winogrand, that master of black-and-white, was a master of color, too," 20 June 2019 As is characteristic with Cooper and Shayk, neither has commented on the demise of the relationship. — Martha Ross, The Mercury News, "Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga affair rumors contributed to breakup with Irina Shayk, report says," 11 June 2019 In keeping with her characteristic all-black, moto-goth look, Dalle wore a leather jacket, black T-shirt, skinny jeans, and uber high stomper-platform boots. — Vogue, "At 54, Beatrice Dalle Is France’s Biggest Red Carpet Rebel," 20 May 2019 The Clovis people, big game hunters who made characteristic stone tools dated to about 13,000 years ago, were once thought to have been the first to reach the Americas, presumably through the ice-free corridor. — Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, "First people in the Americas came by sea, ancient tools unearthed by Idaho river suggest," 29 Aug. 2019 These hostile comments are often bookended with a smug reference to Chappelle’s own characteristic brazenness, as if to distance the comic from any standard of civil discourse and instead deflect that responsibility onto viewers. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "Dave Chappelle Doubles Down," 28 Aug. 2019 All soups where bacon, milk and aromatics ground various sweet things with their characteristic creaminess and warmth. — Los Angeles Times, "A summer squash soup with a pedigree," 24 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'characteristic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.