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out of character

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌaʊt əv ˈkærəktɚ/ · UK /ˌaʊt əv ˈkærəktə/

out of character means: Different from the way someone usually behaves.

phrase

UNUSUAL BEHAVIORB2

Different from the way someone usually behaves.

  • Her angry reply was out of character.
  • It was out of character for him to arrive late.
  • Was that generous offer out of character for your boss?

How to use it: out of character for someone (Such a rude reply was out of character for him.)

Similar words: uncharacteristic, atypical

Opposites: typical, characteristic

Common phrases: be out of character, seem out of character

AS YOURSELFC1

Speaking or acting as yourself rather than as a person in a play or game.

  • Can I speak out of character?
  • Out of character, she asked how the game rules worked.
  • The actors joked out of character while the crew moved the scenery.

Similar words: as yourself, out of role

Opposites: in character

Common phrases: speak out of character, talk out of character

LOSE THE ROLEC1

Failing to think or act like the person you are playing in a performance.

  • I felt out of character throughout the scene.
  • The noise left the actor out of character during his speech.
  • She seemed out of character despite remembering every line.

Similar words: out of role

Opposites: in character

Common phrases: be out of character, feel out of character

Questions about out of character

What does out of character mean?

Different from the way someone usually behaves.

What is out of character in other languages?

Türkçe: karakterine aykırı · Español: impropio · Français: inhabituel · Deutsch: untypisch · Italiano: insolito · 日本語: らしくない

How do you pronounce out of character?

In American English /ˌaʊt əv ˈkærəktɚ/; in British English /ˌaʊt əv ˈkærəktə/.

How do you use out of character in a sentence?

Her angry reply was out of character. It was out of character for him to arrive late.

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out of character in other languages

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