Synonyms for characteristic
- noun
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Trait — A distinguishing feature of a person or thing, a part of mental or physical behavior
trait, attribute, idiosyncrasy, peculiarity, mannerism, quality, property, personality, character, particularity, tendency, point, trade-mark, sign, mark, affection, genius, singularity, hall-mark, vein, touch, index
Other
Adjective
Definitions
- n. 1
A distinguishing feature of a person or thing, a part of mental or physical behavior.
- adj. 1
Indicating a distinguishing feature of a person or thing; typical.
Related words
- Word family
- characteristically
- Phrases
- characteristic function characteristic root characteristic value characteristic vector derived characteristic
- Is a kind of
- entity
Forms
- Plural
- characteristics → traits, attributes, idiosyncrasies, peculiarities…
Choose the right word
A characteristic belongs to the nature or character of the person, thing, or class, and serves to identify an object; as, a copper-colored skin, high cheek-bones, and straight, black hair are characteristics of the American Indian.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- attribute Why can't shape be an intimate attribute of matter?
- trait Patience is an important trait for a good manager.
- peculiarity I have this peculiarity: I always spoil everything.
- feature Language textbooks often feature only good people.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| characteristic | falling | |
| attribute | rising | |
| trait | rising | |
| peculiarity | falling | |
| idiosyncrasy | steady | |
| feature | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- sign1, mark1, vein1
- 5 letters
- point1, touch1, index2, trait1
- 6 letters
- proper2, genius2
- 7 letters
- special2, quality3, natural3, feature2, typical3
- 8 letters
- property3, specific3, distinct2, tendency3, peculiar3, singular3
- 9 letters
- character3, exclusive3, signature3, affection3, attribute3, mannerism4
- 10 letters
- particular4, diagnostic4, indicative4, emblematic4
- 11 letters
- personality5, distinctive3, singularity5, symptomatic4, peculiarity6
- 12 letters
- idiosyncrasy6
- 13 letters
- idiosyncratic6, particularity6
- 14 letters
- representative5, distinguishing4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (index2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- caractéristique
- Italiano
- caratteristico
- Español
- característico
- Deutsch
- charakteristisch
- Català
- característic