character
/ˈkæɹəktə/
This term oscillates between describing internal moral integrity and external distinctiveness. When referring to a person's nature, it suggests a stable, ingrained set of values that defines their reliability or strength. In contrast, calling someone a character shifts the meaning toward eccentricity, framing the person as a colorful or odd personality rather than a moral exemplar. In technical or literary contexts, the word functions as a discrete unit, whether it is a single glyph in a digital string or a constructed persona in a narrative. While usually countable, the word remains singular when describing the general atmosphere or spirit of a location, such as the character of a neighborhood, where it refers to an indivisible quality.
Meanings
The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
"He is a man of strong character."
A person in a novel, play, movie, or other fictional work.
"The main character in the story is a detective."
A printed or written letter, symbol, or number used in writing.
"The password must be at least eight characters long."
The collective qualities that distinguish a particular place, period, or thing.
"The old buildings give the town a lot of character."
Examples
She has a strong character and never gives up easily.
The main character in the novel undergoes a great transformation.
Each character in the password must be unique.
The cobblestone streets give the village a charming character.
Our neighbor is a real character who tells wild stories.
Collocations & Compounds
strong character
Noun collocation: a person with a powerful and determined personality
She has always been a strong character who refuses to back down.
lead character
Noun collocation: the primary person in a fictional narrative
The lead character in the movie is a disillusioned war veteran.
special character
Noun collocation: a symbol that is not a letter or a number
The password requires at least one special character for security.
architectural character
Noun collocation: the distinctive style and feel of a building or area
The city council wants to preserve the architectural character of the old town.
build character
Verb collocation: to develop strength of personality through hardship
Working a difficult job in your youth helps to build character.
Idioms & Sayings
out of character
not typical of a person's usual behavior
It was completely out of character for him to shout during the meeting.
a character of some note
a person of importance or fame
The gala was attended by several characters of some note from the art world.
in character
behaving according to a specific role or personality
The actor remained in character even when the cameras stopped rolling.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word kharakter, meaning a stamping tool or a mark impressed upon a coin, which evolved through Latin character to denote a distinctive mark or sign. Over time, the meaning expanded from a physical mark to the metaphorical marking of a person's nature or the role played by an actor in a drama.