characteristic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "characteristic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word as an adjective to describe something that is particular to something or someone, or as a noun to mean a trait or feature. Example sentence: His friendly personality is certainly one of his most endearing characteristics.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In December, he refused to license a new grammar school in Kent while – with characteristic ambiguity – suggesting this refusal was merely a technicality.

The Guardian

It's pleasant to fantasise that if Mirvish hadn't died in 2007, the building would never have been sold for scrap – but Ed's defining characteristic wasn't so much honesty as a hard nose.

The Guardian

The US and the EU share one characteristic: they are, in the jargon of political science, "mixed regimes", with a strong separation of powers and numerous checks and balances.

The Guardian - Opinion

The economy characteristic of those years informed everything about her – the way she dressed, her reserved speech, the pared-back working method, the attitude to equipment, the reluctance to talk about her work.

The Guardian - Arts

Here's the key characteristic of populism: populists contrast an image of a pure, homogeneous people with that of a corrupt or at least, uncaring elite that colludes with those who are not properly part of the national body politic.

The Guardian - Opinion

A glossy brochure for Garden City in Nairobi, which includes 400-plus flats and townhouses, boasts: "From the aquamarine water of the heated swimming pool to the ultra-modern fitted kitchen, solid bamboo flooring and glass balcony balustrades, quality is the defining characteristic of the Garden City Village".

The Guardian

"We'd had six divisional directors in the space of four years," she explains, before adding, with characteristic directness, "some of them didn't move on for wholly positive reasons.

The Guardian

A third dominant characteristic, probably linked with his provincialism and his romanticism, made itself felt.

The Guardian

"Quick art, that's been the characteristic of the whole century from the cubists on.

The Guardian - Arts

His backbone was his defining characteristic, Harris said.

The Guardian

In an emotional address to 500 party delegates yesterday, the Nobel peace prize winner made a characteristic appeal to those unionists opposed to the Agreement to work with nationalists, telling them he understood their fears.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "characteristic" as an adjective, ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is characteristic of. For example, instead of "a characteristic response", specify "a response characteristic of that species".

Common error

Avoid using "characteristic" to express purely subjective opinions. Instead of saying "a characteristic bad movie", which implies all bad movies share a certain trait, focus on objective traits or use stronger language like "a typically flawed movie".

Linguistic Context

The word "characteristic" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a quality or trait that is typical or distinctive of a person, thing, or group. It can also function as a noun, referring to such a quality or trait itself. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage as both adjective and noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "characteristic" is a versatile word functioning as both an adjective and a noun to denote typical or distinctive traits. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media sources. While generally neutral in register, using "characteristic" effectively requires specifying what the subject is characteristic of to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "distinguishing feature" or "defining trait" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguishing feature

Focuses on the aspect that sets something apart.

defining trait

Emphasizes a trait that is central to the identity.

typical attribute

Highlights an attribute that is commonly associated.

hallmark

Implies a distinctive and recognizable feature.

identifying marker

Stresses the role of identification.

peculiarity

Draws attention to an unusual or unique quality.

distinctive quality

Highlights a quality that is easily noticeable.

inherent property

Points to a property that is naturally part of something.

unique aspect

Focuses on the singularity of an element.

essential element

Indicates an element that is crucial or necessary.

FAQs

How can I use "characteristic" in a sentence?

You can use "characteristic" as an adjective, as in "That's a characteristic response from him", or as a noun, as in "Honesty is one of his best characteristics".

What's a good substitute for "characteristic"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "distinguishing feature", "defining trait", or "typical attribute".

Is it better to say "a characteristic of" or "characteristic to"?

"A characteristic of" is generally preferred and more common in standard English. "Characteristic to" is less frequent and might sound awkward to some native speakers.

What is the difference between "characteristic" and "characteristic feature"?

The phrase "characteristic" on its own already implies a feature, so "characteristic feature" can be somewhat redundant. Using just "characteristic" is often more concise and clear.