Characterization Meaning
/ˌkæɹəktəɹaɪˈzeɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act or process of characterizing.
Sentence Examples
The theater company's characterization of Anne Frank was very emotional, but tasteful.
I don't think that's a very accurate characterization of his point of view.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The film's excellent ____ of the hero made the audience sympathize with him.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The actor's ____ of the villain was so good that it was truly scary.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Ancient Greek χαράσσω (kharássō) Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Ancient Greek -τήρ (-tḗr) Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr) Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ίζω (-ízō) Ancient Greek χᾰρακτηρίζω (khăraktērízō)der. Medieval Latin charactērizōder. English characterize Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English characterization From characterize + -ation.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It was while he was performing the duties of the store that he acquired the soubriquet "Honest Abe"--a characterization that he never dishonored, and an abbreviation that he never outgrew."
— 1866, Josiah Gilbert Holland, The Life of Abraham Lincoln:
"The art of characterization exhibited by the author fascinates us; we gaze and examine as if we were face to face with real personages, whose passions are laid bare, whose life is traced, whose countenance is portrayed with miraculousness, distinctness and verisimilitude."
— 1901, Epiphanius Wilson, Introduction to the Dramas of Balzac:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The film's excellent ____ of the hero made the audience sympathize with him.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The actor's ____ of the villain was so good that it was truly scary.