characterisation
gb/t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən/ us/t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
jellemzés, jellemábrázolás, karakterábrázolás, karakterizálás
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
jellemzés
B2
Usage pattern:
the characterisation of [someone/something] (as [something])
The report’s characterisation of the community as “lawless” was widely criticised.
A közösség „törvénytelenként” való jellemzését a jelentésben sokan bírálták.
I disagree with your characterisation of her decision as selfish.
Nem értek egyet azzal a jellemzéseddel, hogy a döntése önző volt.
His characterisation of the meeting made it sound far more dramatic than it was.
Learner examples
I don’t like that characterisation of my friend.
Nem tetszik ez a jellemzés a barátomról.
The article gave an unfair characterisation of the city.
A cikk igazságtalan jellemzést adott a városról.
Common mistake:
Often confused with character (a person in a story) or characteristic (a feature). In American English, the usual spelling is characterization.
Meaning
a description or portrayal
Collocations
a characterisation of
|a vivid characterisation
|a harsh characterisation
|an accurate characterisation
|a misleading characterisation
|characterisation as
|a characterisation of him as
|public characterisation
|media characterisation
|political characterisation
Synonyms
portrayal (Often suggests a picture-like representation or depiction.)
|
description (More general and less evaluative than characterisation.)
Antonyms
misrepresentation (A portrayal that is false or unfair.)
Themes
communication
|media
|writing
Definition
A way of describing someone or something.
A description or portrayal of a person, group, event, or thing, especially one that presents a particular view of what they are like.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s characterisation of [a character]
The novel is remembered for its subtle characterisation and sharp dialogue.
A regény finom jellemábrázolása és éles párbeszédei miatt emlékezetes.
Her characterisation of the villain made him sympathetic as well as frightening.
A gonosztevő jellemábrázolása egyszerre tette a figurát rokonszenvessé és félelmetessé.
Teachers often use the story to discuss characterisation and theme.
Learner examples
The film has great characterisation.
A filmben nagyszerű a jellemábrázolás.
Good characterisation makes the characters feel real.
A jó jellemábrázolás életszerűvé teszi a szereplőket.
Common mistake:
Not the same as character (the person in the story). It refers to how the character is shown to the audience.
Meaning
creating characters in a story
Collocations
strong characterisation
|weak characterisation
|characterisation and plot
|characterisation in the novel
|characterisation in drama
|methods of characterisation
|characterisation through dialogue
|characterisation through action
|effective characterisation
|realistic characterisation
Synonyms
character development (Emphasises change and growth over time rather than the overall presentation.)
Antonyms
flatness (Lack of depth or complexity in characters.)
Themes
literature
|film_tv
|education
Definition
How a writer or actor shows what a character is like.
The way characters are created and presented in a novel, play, film, or other narrative, including their personality, motives, and development.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
jellemzés
C1
Usage pattern:
the characterisation of [a material/organism/process]
The paper includes a full characterisation of the alloy’s mechanical properties.
A tanulmány az ötvözet mechanikai tulajdonságainak teljes jellemzését tartalmazza.
Further characterisation is needed before the compound can be used in medicines.
További jellemzésre van szükség, mielőtt a vegyületet gyógyszerként lehetne használni.
They used microscopy for the characterisation of the surface structure.
Learner examples
The lab did a characterisation of the sample.
A labor elvégezte a minta jellemzését.
We need more characterisation before we decide.
Még több jellemzésre van szükség, mielőtt döntünk.
Common mistake:
Often used with of and in academic writing; in American English, characterization is more common.
Meaning
analysing and describing properties
Collocations
material characterisation
|chemical characterisation
|genetic characterisation
|microstructural characterisation
|experimental characterisation
|characterisation methods
|characterisation techniques
|characterisation data
|characterisation study
|thorough characterisation
Synonyms
profiling (Less formal; often implies building a set of measured features.)
|
analysis (Broader term; may not specifically mean describing distinguishing features.)
Antonyms
guesswork (The opposite of systematic investigation and description.)
Themes
science
|technology
|health
Definition
Studying something carefully to describe its main features.
The process of investigating and describing the features or properties of something (such as a material, organism, disease, or system), especially in scientific or technical work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
characterisation
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən/
US/t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
char - ac - ter - isa - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (char)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: characterisation
- Plural: characterisation, characterisations
Word family
Forms
characterisations
noun
Core family
Related words
characteristically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
characterisation of [someone/something] as [something]
1/t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən əv sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ ˈæz sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
describing someone as something
A formal way to say how someone is described.
Examples
- The characterisation of the policy as “a disaster” dominated the headlines.
- I reject the characterisation of his remarks as offensive.
- Her characterisation of the project as a failure was premature.
Learner examples
- I disagree with the characterisation of him as rude.
direct characterisation
1/dɪɹˈɛkt t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
stating a character’s traits
When a story tells you directly what a character is like.
Examples
- The opening chapter relies on direct characterisation to introduce the hero.
- In direct characterisation, the narrator simply tells us she is ambitious.
- The teacher asked us to find examples of direct characterisation in the passage.
Learner examples
- This sentence is direct characterisation.
indirect characterisation
1/ɪndɚˈɛkt t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
showing traits through actions
When a story shows what a character is like through what they do and say.
Examples
- The author uses indirect characterisation to reveal his jealousy.
- Her impatience is clear through indirect characterisation, especially in the dialogue.
- Good indirect characterisation lets the reader draw conclusions.
Learner examples
- The writer uses indirect characterisation in this scene.
material characterisation
1/mətˈɪɹiəl t͡ʃˈɑɹˈæktɚɪsˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
testing a material’s properties
Lab work to learn a material’s main properties.
Examples
- Material characterisation showed that the coating was porous.
- The project combines synthesis with material characterisation.
- They expanded the lab’s capacity for material characterisation using new imaging tools.