characterize

Word family

• character
  nounA2
• characteristic
  adjectiveB2
• characteristic
  nounB2
• characteristically
  adverbC1
• characterization
  nounC1
• characterless
  adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs involve saying what something is like, but characterize is the most analytical — it focuses on identifying the main or defining qualities of someone or something, rather than giving a full account. Describe is the broadest and most neutral term; you can describe anything from a feeling to a building without picking out key features. Portray adds a sense of viewpoint or artistry — a film portrays a character in a certain light, and the word is common in reviews. Depict is similar to portray but leans toward visual or written representation (a painting depicts a scene; a novel depicts poverty). Define is stricter: it sets the boundaries of a meaning or concept. A manager might characterize the team culture as collaborative; she would define it only if she were listing its exact membership criteria.

Common collocations

Etymology

Characterize comes from the Greek word kharaktēr, meaning a stamping tool or a mark pressed into wax. Over time the meaning shifted from a physical mark to a set of distinguishing traits. The word passed through Latin and then French before entering English, where it grew into two connected verb senses: to be a distinguishing mark of something, and to describe what those marks are.