characterization
gb/kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən/ us/kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
jellemábrázolás, megformálás, alakítás, jellemzés, ábrázolás, karakterizálás
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
the characterization of [character] (in [work])
The novel’s characterization makes even minor characters feel real.
A regény jellemábrázolása miatt még a mellékszereplők is valódinak hatnak.
Her characterization of the villain relies more on small gestures than on long speeches.
A gonosztevő megformálása nála inkább apró gesztusokra épül, mint hosszú beszédekre.
In the early chapters, the characterization is subtle, but it becomes clearer later.
Learner examples
The story has good characterization.
A történetben jó a jellemábrázolás.
The writer uses dialogue for characterization.
Az író párbeszédeket használ a jellemábrázoláshoz.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse characterization (how a character is shown) with character (the person in the story).
Meaning
how a character is portrayed
Collocations
strong characterization
|vivid characterization
|effective characterization
|characterization in the novel
|characterization in the film
|characterization of the protagonist
|characterization and plot
|characterization and dialogue
|characterization through action
|characterization through speech
Synonyms
character development (Often emphasizes change over time, not just portrayal.)
|
portrayal (More general; can apply to real people as well as fictional ones.)
Antonyms
flatness (The absence of depth or complexity in characters.)
Themes
literature
|education
|writing
|arts
Definition
the way a story shows what a character is like
In fiction or drama, the way a writer or actor presents a character’s personality and qualities through description, actions, dialogue, and other details.
NOUN
C1
2
megformálás
B2
alakítás
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s characterization of [character]
Her characterization of Elizabeth is more playful than in earlier productions.
Erzsébet figurájának megformálása nála játékosabb, mint a korábbi előadásokban.
Critics praised his characterization for its quiet intensity.
A kritikusok a visszafogott intenzitásáért dicsérték az alakítását.
The remake offers a darker characterization of the hero.
Learner examples
I liked his characterization of the main character.
Tetszett, ahogyan megformálta a főszereplőt.
Meaning
a particular portrayal of a character
Collocations
a brilliant characterization
|a nuanced characterization
|a comic characterization
|a chilling characterization
|a new characterization
|a different characterization
|an actor's characterization
|a director's characterization
Synonyms
interpretation (Highlights an actor’s or reader’s personal reading of the character.)
|
performance (Broader; includes voice, movement, and acting choices, not only the character concept.)
Antonyms
miscasting (Choosing an unsuitable actor, often leading to an unconvincing portrayal.)
Themes
arts
|film_tv
|theatre
|reviews
Definition
a particular way of showing a character
A specific depiction or interpretation of a character, especially in a performance, adaptation, or review.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
jellemzés
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s characterization of [thing] as [description]
I don’t agree with his characterization of the meeting as a waste of time.
Nem értek egyet azzal, ahogyan a megbeszélést időpocsékolásként jellemezte.
The report challenged the media’s characterization of the protests as violent.
A jelentés vitatta, hogy a média erőszakosként jellemezte a tüntetéseket.
Her characterization of the new policy was more positive than mine.
Learner examples
That is an unfair characterization of what happened.
Ez igazságtalan jellemzése annak, ami történt.
Common mistake:
In this sense, characterization usually refers to someone’s wording or framing, not to a fictional character.
Meaning
a description or judgment of something
Collocations
a fair characterization
|an accurate characterization
|an unfair characterization
|a misleading characterization
|a harsh characterization
|a generous characterization
|characterization of the problem
|characterization of events
|characterization as a success
|characterization as a failure
Synonyms
description (More neutral; may lack the evaluative or framing element.)
|
portrayal (Often implies a particular slant or perspective.)
|
depiction (Slightly more formal; common in media and analysis.)
Antonyms
misrepresentation (A characterization that is false or misleading.)
Themes
communication
|media
|business
|politics
Definition
the way someone describes something
A description of someone or something, especially one that expresses an opinion about what it is like.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
characterization of [someone/something] (in [medium])
The documentary avoids stereotypical characterization of rural communities.
A dokumentumfilm kerüli a vidéki közösségek sztereotip ábrázolását.
Accurate characterization of the risks is essential for informed decisions.
A kockázatok pontos jellemzése elengedhetetlen a megalapozott döntésekhez.
The novel’s characterization of the city is almost as vivid as its characters.
Learner examples
The film’s characterization of the topic is serious.
A film komoly képet ad a témáról.
Meaning
the act of describing or portraying
Collocations
public characterization
|media characterization
|characterization in the press
|characterization in advertising
|characterization of a group
|characterization of a culture
|negative characterization
|positive characterization
Synonyms
representation (Broader; can include symbols, statistics, or models, not only descriptive portrayal.)
Antonyms
omission (Leaving something out rather than portraying it.)
Themes
communication
|media
|writing
Definition
the process of describing something
The act or process of describing, portraying, or representing a person, group, or thing in words, images, or other media.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
characterization of [material/system]
The team completed characterization of the new alloy using microscopy and spectroscopy.
A csapat mikroszkópia és spektroszkópia segítségével elvégezte az új ötvözet karakterizálását.
Early characterization results suggest the battery degrades faster at high temperatures.
A korai karakterizálási eredmények szerint az akkumulátor magas hőmérsékleten gyorsabban degradálódik.
Careful characterization of the sensor is required before field testing.
Meaning
analysis to determine properties
Collocations
material characterization
|surface characterization
|chemical characterization
|structural characterization
|thermal characterization
|electrical characterization
|device characterization
|characterization data
|characterization methods
|characterization techniques
Synonyms
analysis (Much broader; characterization often implies systematic measurement of defining properties.)
|
profiling (Less common in lab contexts; can suggest building a detailed property set.)
Antonyms
guesswork (The opposite of measurement-based determination of properties.)
Themes
science
|engineering
|technology
Definition
scientific tests that show what something is like
In science and engineering, the testing and analysis used to identify and measure the properties or structure of a material, substance, device, or system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
characterization
IPA
GB/kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
US/kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
char - ac - ter - iz - a - tion (6 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (iz)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: characterization
- Plural: characterization, characterizations
Word family
Forms
characterizations
noun
Core family
Related words
characteristically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
mischaracterize
verb
mischaracterization
noun
Expressions
characterization of [someone/something] as [something]
1/kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən əv sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ ˈæz sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
describe as a particular thing
calling something a certain kind of thing
Examples
- The characterization of the reform as “a tax grab” sparked backlash.
- Her characterization of the delay as “minor” didn’t match customers’ experiences.
- We rejected the characterization of our work as careless.
Learner examples
- I disagree with the characterization of the plan as risky.
direct characterization
1/dɪɹˈɛkt kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
writer states traits directly
when the writer directly says a character’s qualities
Examples
- The opening uses direct characterization: the narrator calls her “stubborn and proud.”
- Direct characterization can be efficient, but it may feel less natural than showing actions.
- In this story, direct characterization is rare; most traits are implied.
Learner examples
- This paragraph uses direct characterization.
indirect characterization
1/ɪndɚˈɛkt kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
traits shown through behavior
when a story shows traits through actions and words
Examples
- The author relies on indirect characterization, letting the reader infer his jealousy.
- Her impatience is built through indirect characterization in short, sharp dialogue.
- Indirect characterization often feels more realistic than simply listing traits.
Learner examples
- We learn about him through indirect characterization.
material characterization
1/mətˈɪɹiəl kˌɛɹɪktɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
testing a material’s properties
scientific tests to learn about a material
Examples
- Material characterization showed the polymer becomes brittle in cold conditions.
- The lab specializes in material characterization for thin films.
- They used X-ray diffraction for material characterization.