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Meaning

To characterize is to delineate or define the distinctive qualities or features of an entity, concept, or phenomenon, often through detailed analysis that highlights its unique attributes and differentiates it from others.
💡 It is important to distinguish between "characterize" and "describe"; the former implies a deeper analytical approach that identifies essential qualities, while the latter may simply involve listing observable features.

Example Sentences

Researchers characterize the new material by analyzing its chemical properties .
The author uses simple language to characterize the main hero .
The report aims to characterize the main challenges facing the industry .
The report will characterize the company's financial performance this quarter .

Word in Context

Each morning , Ana sits by the caf é window and studies the small park across the street , noting how the light and movement compose a calm atmosphere . She tries to characterize the regulars — an elderly man who always feeds pigeons , a student with a battered backpack , and a runner who pauses to tie her shoeso she can use them in a short story . Rather than inventing traits , Ana prefers to record precise details , believing that small gestures reveal more about a person than broad descriptions . By evening she reviews her notes and rearranges images until the scene feels coherent and alive , like a snapshot that also suggests what might come next . When she finally writes , the characters emerge gradually , shaped by habits and quiet moments rather than dramatic events .

Common Phrases

characterize a phenomenon characterize the traits characterize the relationship

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