characteristic

pronunciation

How to pronounce characteristic in British English: UK [ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk] word uk audio image

How to pronounce characteristic in American English: US [ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk] word us audio image

Noun:

a prominent aspect of something
a distinguishing quality
the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
Adjective:

typical or distinctive

Word Origin

characteristic: adjective and noun both first attested 1660s, from character + -istic on model of Greek kharakteristikos. Earlier in the adjectival sense was characteristical (1620s). Related: Characteristically (1640s). Characteristics "distinctive traits" also attested from 1660s.

Synonym

adj.

specific indicative particular representative illustrative special individual distinctive distinguishing typical marked diagnostic idiosyncratic unique peculiar

n.

cast quality earmark mannerism peculiarity character nature feature personality property distinction idiocrasy idiosyncrasy mark aspect attribute trait singularity

Example

1. That is characteristic of a young developing country .

2. Yet autonomy is the characteristic of all successful institutions .

3. This characteristic makes developing immune therapies easier .

4. With characteristic adroitness , he abandoned morgenthau .

5. The burial mound was the principle characteristic of all of these societies .

more: >How to Use "characteristic" with Example Sentences