Word Adverb
characteristically
adv.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌkɛɹəktɝˈɪstɪkɫi/ UK /kˌæɹɪktəɹˈɪstɪkli/ char·ac·ter·is·ti·cal·ly
Definition
adv.in a way that is typical of a specific person, thing, or situation. You use this to describe something that shows a person's usual behavior or a thing's usual quality.
adv.in a manner that is typical of a particular person, thing, or situation. Often used to introduce a trait or behavior that defines a subject.
Examples
“He spoke characteristically in a very loud voice.”
“The old house looked characteristically run-down, with peeling paint and a sagging roof.”
“The politician responded characteristically to the criticism, choosing to deflect blame rather than address the underlying policy failures.”
Etymology
From characteristic + -ally.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated