character
character
Pronunciation
Character (British English pronunciation)
IPA: ˈkærəktə
Breakdown by Syllable:
ˈka (k - voiceless velar plosive)
ræ (æ - near-open front unrounded vowel)
rə (ə - schwa, mid central vowel)
kt (k - voiceless velar plosive)
ə (ə - schwa, mid central vowel)
Word Form Variations
The word "character" has a few related forms, but not many variations for itself:
Singular: character
Plural: characters
Adjective: characteristic (used to describe something having the qualities of a character)
There are also derived words that share the same root but have different meanings, such as:
Verb: characterise (to define the nature of something)
Noun: characterization (the act of characterising something)
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
The combination of personality traits and qualities that make a person, thing, or place unique.
Synonyms: personality, nature, disposition, temperament (for people)
Antonyms: blandness, uniformity, genericness
A person portrayed in a work of fiction (book, movie, play, etc.).
Synonyms: protagonist, antagonist, figure, role
A symbol used in writing systems, such as a letter or number.
Synonyms: glyph, symbol
Adjective:
Having or showing a particular characteristic.
Synonyms: typical, distinctive, emblematic, representative
Antonyms: untypical, uncharacteristic, atypical
Verb (not as common, but can be used):
To describe the nature or key features of something.
Synonyms: define, depict, portray
Antonyms: obscure, obfuscate, confuse
Examples of Use
Noun (1):
Book: "Elizabeth Bennet's strong character shines through her witty remarks and independent spirit" (Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen).
Noun (2):
Movie: "The portrayal of the complex character of Vito Corleone by Marlon Brando is considered a cinematic masterpiece" (The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola).
Noun (3):
Online Publication: "Modern computer fonts can display a vast array of characters from different languages" (The Verge).
Adjective (1):
Newspaper: "The scientist's characteristic meticulousness led to a breakthrough discovery" (New York Times).
Adjective (2):
Social Media: "This new restaurant has a character all its own, with its quirky décor and vintage furniture" (Instagram post).
Verb (less common):
TV Show (Documentary): "This episode of 'Planet Earth' characterises the unique adaptations of desert animals" (David Attenborough narration).
General Public Discourse:
Conversation: "He's a great leader, always showing strong character and integrity in difficult situations."
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Character
"A man's character is his fate." (Heraclitus, Greek philosopher)
"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost." (Billy Graham, American evangelist)
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." (Helen Keller, American author)
"It is not what happens to you that matters, but how you react to what happens to you that tells you who you are." (Epictetus, Greek Stoic philosopher)
"The ultimate test of a moral man is his willingness to raise his voice against injustice when it is safe to do so." (Martin Luther King Jr., American Baptist minister and activist)
"The only true wealth is the wealth of the inner self, the wealth of character and knowledge." (Immanuel Kant, German philosopher)
"The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. It's whether you let it define you or defy you." (Carol Dweck, American psychologist)
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German polymath)
"Integrity is the foundation of all character traits. Without it, no real success is possible; no matter what you achieve, it will be hollow." (Zig Ziglar, American author and motivational speaker)
"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." (Joshua J. Marine, American motivational speaker)
Etymology
The word "character" has a pretty cool backstory that goes all the way back to Ancient Greece! Imagine a sharp tool used for scratching or engraving something. In Greek, that tool was called "kharassein." Over time, people started using the word "kharaktēr" to describe the marks left behind by this tool.
Think of it like this: if you scratch your initials on a tree, the scratch itself is the "character" left behind. But it also tells you something about the person who did the scratching, maybe their name or initials. So, the meaning of "character" shifted to describe not just the mark, but also the quality or feature it represented.
This idea of "character" as a defining mark or quality eventually made its way into Latin (as "character") and then into English (around the 1300s) as "character." So, the first uses of the word referred to these kind of defining marks, and later it came to describe the set of qualities that make someone or something unique.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Character
Character Highlighting Personality:
Man/Woman of character: Someone with strong moral principles and integrity.
Out of character: Behaving in a way that is unusual for someone.
Force of character: A strong and determined personality.
Full of character: Having a lot of interesting and unique qualities.
Weak character: Someone who lacks willpower or easily gives in to temptation.
In good character: Having a clean criminal record.
Character Describing Actions:
Build character: To develop positive qualities through overcoming challenges.
Show character: To demonstrate strength and resilience in difficult situations.
Undermine one's character: To damage someone's reputation or good standing.
Leave one's mark: To make a lasting impression or impact.
Character Related to Reputation:
A character flaw: A negative aspect of someone's personality.
A bad character: Someone with a history of dishonesty or bad behaviour.
Of good character: Having a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness.
Save face: To avoid embarrassment or damage to one's reputation.
Character in Literature and Entertainment:
Lead character/protagonist: The main character in a story.
Supporting character: A character who plays a secondary role in the story.
Character development: The way a character's personality and motivations change over time.
In character: Behaving in a way that is consistent with how a character is portrayed.
Idioms with Character:
A man/woman of his/her word: Someone who keeps their promises.
A character in search of an author: Someone who seems lost or without purpose.
Read someone like a book: To easily understand someone's personality.
A wolf in sheep's clothing: Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous.
Posts Related to Character
Source Information
Definition of character from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.