character

KAIR-ik-ter/ˈkɛɹ(ə)ktɚ/UKKA-rik-tuh/ˈkæɹɪktə/

15 meanings of character

1
in a storynouncountable
A person, animal, or being who takes part in a story.
Like the people you follow in a video game or cartoon.
The main character in the film struggles with the loss of her home.
She invented dozens of characters for her fantasy series.
UsageActors play characters: the main character.
2
personalitynouncountable or uncountable
The set of qualities that make a person, place, or thing what it is.
Like the special flavor that makes one dish different from another.
The whole neighborhood has a friendly, welcoming character.
The breed's gentle character makes it a good family pet.
UsageOut of character means not typical of someone.
Similarnature, personality, identity, spirit
3
written symbolnouncountable
One letter, number, mark or symbol in writing, or in text on a computer.
Like one stamp pressed onto paper to make a single mark.
Each Chinese character can stand for a whole word.
The little boy wrote every character in his name very slowly.
UsageSay Chinese characters.
Similarsymbol, letter, sign
Note
4
nouncountable
A single feature or quality that makes something different from others.
Like one feature (say curly hair) that sets someone apart.
The plant's most striking character is its silver leaves.
Scientists compared several characters to sort the insects into groups.
Similartrait, feature, attribute
Note
5
noununcountable
Inner strength that helps someone stay strong and do the right thing.
Like a strong root that keeps a tree standing in a storm.
It takes real character to admit a mistake in public.
Years of hardship slowly built her character.
UsageOften used in show character and build character.
Similarintegrity, backbone, fortitude, mettle, courage
6
colorful personnouncountable
A person who is unusual, lively, and fun to be around.
Like that one person at a party everyone remembers.
Her grandfather was a real character who told wild stories.
The market was full of loud, colorful characters.
UsageSay a real character.
Similareccentric, personality, original
Note

Less common meanings

7
unknown personnouncolloquialcountable
A person, especially one you do not know.
Like a stranger you notice but cannot name.
A shady character was hanging around the parking lot.
Some character knocked on the door and then ran off.
UsageOften a shady character.
Similarindividual, person, type, customer
8
reputationnoundatedcountable
What people generally think of someone or something: their reputation.
Like a report card that shows what others think of you.
He left town with his character badly damaged by the scandal.
The false rumors blackened his character all over town.
Similarreputation, name, standing
Note
9
official capacitynouncountable
The role or position someone holds while doing a certain job or duty.
Like the hat you wear for a job: the role you fill while you do it.
She spoke in her character as head of the committee.
He signed the letter in his character of school principal.
UsageToday, say in his capacity as.
Similarcapacity, role
10
servant's referencenoundatedcountable
A written note about a servant's conduct and skills, given to help them find work.
Like a letter from an old boss saying you did good work.
The maid could not find a new position without a good character.
Her former mistress refused to write her a character after the quarrel.
Similarreference, testimonial
Note
11
lettering stylenoundatedcountable
A style of handwriting or printing, or the shape of the letters a person or a people uses.
Like the special way you shape your letters when you write.
The monk copied the text in a fine, even character.
You know the character to be your brother's?
c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”Here, character means a person's handwriting.
Similarscript, hand, lettering, handwriting
Note
12
secret codenoundatedcountable
A secret code or cipher used to hide a message.
Similarcipher, code
Note
13
nounobsoletecountable
The way a person looks: their outward appearance.
Note
14
verbobsolete
To write something down, or to set it down in words.
O Roſalind, theſe Trees ſhall be my Bookes, / And in their barkes my thoughts Ile charracter, / That euery eye, which in this Forreſt lookes, / Shall ſee thy vertue witneſt euery where.
c. 1598, William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”Here, charracter means to write something down.
Note
15
noun
In math, a rule that gives each member of a group a number, so that combining members matches multiplying their numbers.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Greek, from a word meaning to engrave, and reached English through Latin and Old French.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The word comes ultimately from Greek and derives from a verb meaning to engrave. en.wiktionary.org
The word reached English through Latin and Old French. en.wikipedia.org