Entry Word: characteristic

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group <the characteristic taste of licorice>

Synonyms classic, distinct, distinctive, distinguishing, identifying, individual, peculiar, proper, symptomatic, typical

Related Words idiosyncratic; identifiable, pronounced, unmistakable; general, generic; common, normal, regular, usual; particular, special, specific; archetypal, model, paradigmatic

Antonyms atypical, nontypical

2 having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind <the characteristic wit and good-naturedness of the Irish> — see typical 1