characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌka-rik-

: the act of characterizing

especially : the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives

the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others

Examples of characterization in a Sentence

The reporter was criticized for his characterization of the people of the town as poor and uneducated.

News reporting requires accurate characterization.

The class discussed the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others.

The story has good characterization.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her Republican opponents were quick to offer their own characterizations on Tuesday. —Matthew Kelly july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025

Chinese officials did not dispute Trump’s characterization of the deal when asked by reporters. —John Liu, CNN Money, 3 July 2025

But the negative characterizations of the bill were enough to bring House Speaker Todd Huston down on the House floor to again advocate for Senate Bill 1. —Brittany Carloni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Domingo partly based his characterization on Jerry Springer, having fortuitously caught the recent Netflix documentary miniseries about the controversial broadcaster shortly after arriving in London. —Clark Collis Updated, EW.com, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see character entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing characterization

• self-characterization

Rhymes for characterization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the act of characterizing

2

: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)