Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - characteristic

(characteristics) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. The characteristics of a person or thing are the qualities or features that belong to them and make them recognizable. Genes determine the characteristics of every living thing. ...their physical characteristics. = feature, trait N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp 2. A quality or feature that is characteristic of someone or something is one which is often seen in them and seems typical of them. Windmills are a characteristic feature of the Mallorcan landscape... Nehru responded with characteristic generosity. = typical ? uncharacteristic ADJ: oft ADJ of n • characteristically He replied in characteristically robust style... ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v, ADV with cl