ENGLISH
REFERENCE

character

n.
US //ˈkɛɹɪktɝ// UK //kˈæɹɪktɐ// char·ac·ter
  1. 1 person in a story (n.)
    A2 Elementary Theatre

    a person in a book, play, or film.

    a fictional being or persona involved in the action of a narrative work.

    Example

    My favorite character in the movie was the brave young pilot.

    Example

    The protagonist is a complex character whose motivations remain ambiguous until the final chapter of the novel.
  2. 2 personality and qualities (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the qualities that make a person or place different from others.

    the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual or group.

    Example

    The old town has a lot of character because of its narrow streets.

    Example

    The interview process is designed to assess a candidate's character and integrity rather than just their technical proficiency.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 moral strength (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the quality of being honest, brave, and strong in your choices.

    strength of mind and moral resolution; the possession of high ethical standards.

    Example

    It takes great character to admit when you have made a mistake.

    Example

    The coach praised the team's character after they managed to stay focused despite the hostile atmosphere in the stadium.
  2. 4 letter or symbol (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    a letter, number, or symbol used in writing or on a computer.

    a printed or written symbol; in computing, a basic unit of information corresponding to a grapheme or control code.

    Example

    Your password must be at least eight characters long.

    Example

    The software struggled to render certain mathematical characters correctly when exporting the document to a plain text format.
  3. 5 an unusual person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a person who is unusual, funny, or interesting.

    an individual with eccentric, notable, or charismatic traits.

    Example

    The old man at the library is quite a character; he always tells jokes.

    Example

    The local baker was a real character who would burst into song whenever a customer ordered a sourdough loaf.
  4. 6 reputation (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    the opinion that people have about someone's honesty and habits.

    the estimate or reputation put upon a person; often used in legal or formal contexts regarding a person's standing.

    Example

    The lawyer called several witnesses to testify to the man's good character.

    Example

    The defendant's character was called into question during the cross-examination, focusing on his history of financial irregularities.
Origin

From Middle English caracter, from Old French caractere, from Latin character, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “type, nature, character”), from χαράσσω (kharássō, “to engrave”). Doublet of charakter.

Word family
Idioms4 entries

© 2026 English Reference