CHARACTERISTIC meaning: 1. a typical or noticeable quality of someone or something: 2. typical of a person or thing: 3. a…. Learn more.

characteristic, individual, peculiar, distinctive mean indicating a special quality or identity. characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

Characteristic definition: Also characteristical. pertaining to, constituting, or indicating the character or peculiar quality of a person or thing; typical; distinctive..

Definition of characteristic noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

If something is a characteristic of someone or something, it is a feature you would expect. A characteristic of classical-style architecture is large stone columns.

Sep 19, 2025 · "Characteristic" refers to a distinguishing trait, quality, or feature that defines or identifies someone or something. It can describe physical and non-physical attributes, such as …

Being a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing; distinctive: heard my friend's characteristic laugh; the stripes that are characteristic of the zebra.

There are ten meanings listed in OED's entry for the word characteristic, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Jul 1, 2025 · characteristic (plural characteristics) A distinguishing feature of a person or thing, a part of mental or physical behavior.

a quality (of someone or something) that is typical or special: She had the high forehead that is a characteristic of that family. char•ac•ter•is•ti•cal•ly, adv.