characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌker-ik-t(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌka-rik-

: the act of characterizing

especially : the artistic representation (as in fiction or drama) of human character or motives

the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others

Examples of characterization in a Sentence

The reporter was criticized for his characterization of the people of the town as poor and uneducated.

News reporting requires accurate characterization.

The class discussed the author's characterization of the boy as someone who wanted to be accepted by others.

The story has good characterization.

Recent Examples on the Web

The problem isn’t the characterization, since the surgeon is extremely well drawn and Văncică’s performance picks up on both the overall inner emptiness and the yearning for something more. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

That quality of feeling alienated while role-playing in company really comes over in your characterization. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Labor economists reading the same report described it as unexpected turbulence rather than a clean signal, which is a fair characterization of a month this messy. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Union and district leaders have pushed back against the county letter, including its characterization of the labor agreements as unaffordable. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see character entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing characterization

• self-characterization

Rhymes for characterization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

characterization

noun

char·​ac·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌkar-ik-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the act of characterizing

2

: the creation of characters (as in a book or play)