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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Characteristic: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：distinctive feature (characteristic)

characteristic 🔊

/ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk/

n./adj.

A special part of something that makes it recognizable or different from others.

Characteristic illustrated by a person's distinct, friendly facial expression and warm smile.

distinctive feature 🔊

➕

/dɪˈstɪŋktɪv ˈfiːtʃər/

n./adj.

A quality or property that makes someone or something identifiable and sets it apart from others.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'kharaktēr' (engraved mark) + suffix '-istic', forming adjectives.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'character' in a story – each has unique traits that are characteristic of them.

📖 Example

The cat's bright blue eyes and playful nature are its most charming characteristics. 🔊 The most appealing traits of the cat are its bright blue eyes and playful demeanor.

🔗 Collocations

defining characteristic – The most important feature that identifies something.

key characteristic – A crucial feature that defines the essence.

physical characteristic – A feature related to the body or appearance.

🔄 Synonyms

trait (n.) – A distinguishing quality or characteristic.

feature (n.) – A prominent or distinctive part or quality.

attribute (n.) – A quality or feature regarded as characteristic.

🚫 Antonyms

normality (n.) – The state of being usual or typical.

commonality (n.) – A shared feature or attribute.

🌱 Derivatives

characteristically (adv.) – In a way that is typical of a person or thing.

characterize (v.) – To describe the distinctive nature or features of.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'characteristic' originates from Greek 'kharaktēr', meaning a stamp or distinctive mark, via Latin 'character'. It is key in statistics and engineering for describing inherent system properties, such as in 'characteristic equation'.

Meaning 2：typical trait (characteristic)

characteristic 🔊

/ˌkærəktəˈrɪstɪk/

n./adj.

Being typical of a particular person, place, or thing.

typical trait 🔊

➕

/ˈtɪpɪkəl treɪt/

n./adj.

Representing the usual qualities of a specific person, place, or thing.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She has a characteristic habit of waking up at 5 a.m. every day to go for a run. 🔊 Her daily routine of running at 5 a.m. is a typical habit that defines her.

🔗 Collocations

characteristic behavior – Behavior that is typical of a person or group.

characteristic style – A distinctive manner that is representative.

highly characteristic – Very typical or representative.

🔄 Synonyms

typical (adj.) – Having the distinctive qualities of a particular type.

representative (adj.) – Serving as a typical example of.

distinctive (adj.) – Characteristic of one person or thing.

🚫 Antonyms

atypical (adj.) – Not representative of a type; unusual.

uncommon (adj.) – Not occurring or found often.