English Reference
Noun

characterization

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US /ˌkɛɹəktɝɪˈzeɪʃən/ char·ac·ter·i·za·tion UK spelling characterisation, characterization's, characterization's

n.the way a writer or actor describes a person's personality and traits. It is the process of building a believable character in a story or film.

n.the representation of a person's distinctive qualities in literature, drama, or film. Also refers to the act of describing or classifying someone or something.


SIMPLE

The movie's characterization of the hero felt very realistic.

CONTEXTUAL

Critics praised the film for its nuanced characterization of the complex protagonist.

COMPLEX

The novel's success relies on its subtle characterization, which reveals the protagonist's inner conflict through small, seemingly insignificant gestures rather than explicit narration.

China has rejected Washington’s characterization of academic cooperation as a security threat.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

Six Oldenburg researchers collaborated with members of a research group led by physics Nobel laureate Anne L'Huillier at Lund University in Sweden to perform a detailed characterization of the laser system.

Phys.org· 19 Aug 2026

Common in science writing


From characterize + -ation.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated