# characteristic

/ˌkɛɹəktɝˈɪstɪk/ (US) · /kˌæɹɪktəɹˈɪstɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/characteristic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a typical feature

noun · CEFR B2

a quality or feature that is typical of a particular person, place, or thing.

For teachers: a distinguishing trait or quality that serves to identify or characterize an entity.

- Patience is a characteristic that makes her a great teacher for young children.
- The most striking characteristic of the local architecture is the use of volcanic stone in the foundations of even the humblest dwellings.

### 2. typical of someone

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a quality that is very typical of a certain person or thing.

For teachers: pertaining to or constituting a distinctive character; typical of a specific individual or group.

- He answered the phone with his characteristic enthusiasm and energy.
- The author writes with a characteristic blend of dark humour and social commentary that fans recognize instantly.

### 3. logarithm part

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the whole number part of a logarithm.

For teachers: the integral part of a common logarithm, as distinguished from the mantissa.

- In the logarithm 2.4771, the number 2 is the characteristic.
- Students must learn to determine the characteristic by inspection before using tables to find the decimal mantissa of a common logarithm.

### 4. lighthouse signal

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the specific pattern of light flashes that helps sailors identify a lighthouse.

For teachers: the unique sequence of light and dark intervals used to identify a specific navigational aid.

- The lighthouse has a characteristic of two white flashes every ten seconds.
- The navigator consulted the light list to verify the characteristic of the beacon before attempting to enter the unfamiliar harbour at night.

## Examples

- Kindness is a very positive characteristic.
- One key characteristic of this species is the bright red stripe along its back.
- The architect focused on preserving the unique characteristics of the original building while integrating modern sustainable materials into the new design.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.