Words / B1

KAR-uh-kt-uh-ryz/ˈkærəktəraɪz/

To characterise is to describe typical features (UK -ise): characterise the policy as short-term. Characterize is US. Characteristic is the noun/adjective. Portray and describe are close. Do not mix it with caricature (an exaggerated drawing). In essays, critics characterised X as Y is a useful pattern.

Meaning

To describe the typical features of something (UK spelling).

Examples

• “Critics characterised the policy as short-term and costly.”
• “Inspectors characterised the leadership as energetic but poorly organised.”
• “Do not characterise all tabloids as identical; styles differ.”

Good to know

UK: characterise as. US: characterize. Noun: characteristic. Mix-up: caricature. Pattern: characterise X as Y.

Near in meaning

describe

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