character

A person or other being in a book, film, play, or game.

• My favorite character is the little dragon.
• She played three characters in the film.
• Which character tells the story?

Common phrases: main character, a fictional character, play a character

The mixture of feelings, beliefs, and ways of behaving that makes someone the person they are.

• She has a cheerful character.
• His letters reveal a quieter side of his character.
• The twins look alike but have very different characters.

Similar words: personality, nature, temperament

Common phrases: someone’s character, a gentle character, strength of character

A single written mark, such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark.

• Your password needs eight characters.
• I cannot read this Chinese character.
• Spaces count toward the character limit.

Similar words: symbol

Common phrases: chinese character, special character, character limit

The qualities that give a place or thing its particular feel or make it different from others.

• The old houses give the street character.
• New buildings changed the character of the town.
• We want the hotel to keep its original character.

How to use it: the character of something (The character of the village has changed.)

Similar words: nature, identity

Common phrases: the character of something, rural character, retain its character

Good personal qualities, especially honesty, courage, and the strength to do what is right.

• Helping others can build character.
• She showed character by admitting her mistake.
• The difficult journey tested his character.

Similar words: integrity, moral strength

Common phrases: build character, good character, a person of character

A feature of a living thing that scientists can describe or compare, such as its color or shape.

• Flower color is an inherited character.
• The researchers compared several characters in the two species.
• This character appears only in adult males.

Similar words: trait, characteristic

Common phrases: inherited character, genetic character, a dominant character