Definition of "character" in English

noun

1. (countable) A being involved in the action of a story; a persona.

2. (countable) A distinguishing feature; characteristic; trait; nature; phene.

   • A single locus governing the petal colour character was detected on the linkage group A2.
   • We were not able to ascertain the character of the relationship.

3. (uncountable, countable) A complex of traits marking a person, group, breed, or type.

   • A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out.

4. (uncountable) Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.

   • He has a great deal of character.
   • "You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character."

5. (countable) A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.

   • Julius Caesar is a great historical character.
   • That bloke is such a character.

6. (countable) A written or printed symbol, or letter.

7. (countable, dated) Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.

   • an inscription in the Runic character

8. (countable, dated) A secret cipher; a way of writing in code.

9. (countable, computing) One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.

10. (countable, informal) A person or individual, especially one who is unknown.

    • We saw a shady character slinking out of the office with some papers.
    • That old guy is a real character.

11. (countable, mathematics) An assignment of complex numbers to each element of a group, in particular a finite abelian group. More precisely, a group homomorphism into the group of units of a field (usually ℂ).

12. (countable) Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.

    • in the miserable character of a slave
    • in his character as a magistrate

13. (countable, dated) The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.

    • a man's character for truth and veracity
    • Her actions give her a bad character.

14. (countable, dated) A reference given to a servant, attesting to their behaviour, competence, etc.

15. (countable, obsolete) Personal appearance.