# phenotype

/ˈfinəˌtaɪp/ (US) · /fˈɛnətˌaɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/phenotype
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. observable characteristics

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the set of physical traits you can see in a living thing, like its height, hair colour, or how it behaves.

For teachers: the observable physical, physiological, or behavioural characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

- The plant's phenotype included bright red flowers and very short stems.
- Researchers observed that the identical twins developed different phenotypes in adulthood due to their contrasting diets and exercise habits.

### 2. to classify by traits

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to study or group living things based on their physical characteristics.

For teachers: to determine, evaluate, or classify an organism based on its observable physical or biochemical traits.

- The scientists had to phenotype each mouse before starting the next stage of the experiment.
- The laboratory team spent months phenotyping the various bacterial strains to identify which ones were resistant to the new antibiotic.

Usage: This verb is almost exclusively used in laboratory or clinical research contexts.

## Examples

- The plant's phenotype includes its height and the color of its flowers.
- Identical twins share the same genotype, but their phenotypes may differ slightly due to different lifestyle choices and environments.
- Evolutionary biologists study how natural selection acts upon the phenotype of an individual, as physical traits directly influence an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its specific habitat.

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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.