Characterized
/ˈkærəktəraɪzd/
Definitions
To describe or distinguish the features of something.
/ˈkærəktəraɪzd/
To describe the distinctive features of someone or something.
The painting is characterized by its vibrant colors.
💡 Simply: It's like giving someone or something a label based on its special qualities. For example, you might say 'My dog is characterized by his loud barking' because that's a key feature of him!
👶 For kids: To say what someone or something is like.
More Examples
His leadership is characterized by decisiveness and fairness.
How It's Used
"The novel is characterized by its complex plot and intriguing characters."
"The experiment was characterized by a high degree of accuracy."
From Middle English *caracterisen, from Old French caracteriser, from Latin character + -izare.
The word has been used in similar ways since the Middle English period, emphasizing the distinctive traits of something.
Memory tip
Think 'characteristic' - it highlights the key features.
Word Origin
"to mark with a distinguishing feature"