Characteristics Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/kærɪktərɪstɪks/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

Qualities, features, or attributes that define or describe something or someone.

Examples

• The characteristics of a good leader include empathy, communication, and decision-making skills.
• The company’s core characteristics are innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Synonyms

• Attributes
• Features
• Qualities

Antonyms

• Drawbacks
• Weaknesses

Additional Information

Characteristics are essential in understanding and defining concepts, objects, or individuals. They can be inherent, acquired, or developed over time. In various fields such as psychology, marketing, and product design, characteristics play a crucial role in identifying target audiences, developing products, and creating effective strategies. Furthermore, characteristics can be used to differentiate, categorize, and evaluate entities.

In social sciences, characteristics are used to describe personality traits, behaviors, and attitudes. In business, they are used to define brand identities, product features, and customer needs. Understanding characteristics is vital in making informed decisions, predicting outcomes, and creating effective solutions.

Etymology

The word “characteristics” comes from the Greek words “charakter” meaning “mark” or “imprint” and the suffix “-istics” indicating a quality or trait.

Usage Notes

When using the word “characteristics”, ensure the context is clear and specific. For example, when describing a person, specify the characteristics you are referring to, such as personality traits or physical features.

Cultural References

In literature, characteristics are often used to describe fictional characters, revealing their motivations, values, and personalities. In art, characteristics can refer to the unique style or technique of an artist.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Characteristic of
• True to character

Related Words or Phrases

• Attributes
• Features
• Qualities

Collocations

• Key characteristics
• Defining characteristics
• Unique characteristics

Frequency of Use

The word “characteristics” is commonly used in various fields, including psychology, marketing, and product design. Its frequency of use is moderate to high in academic and professional contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Charateristics
• Characteristcs
• Characterstics