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

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also took to social media to sharply criticize Mamdani’s characterization of 9/11. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026

Responding to arguments over the juxtaposition of the images, the three-judge panel of the state appeals court rebuffed Schneider’s characterization of the sequence. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Everyone knows the outdated and offensive characterization of a cat lady — a stereotype conjuring images of solitude, eccentricities and probably cartons of ice cream. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

While the exec has plenty of reason to publicly project confidence, his characterization is well-founded in regulatory procedural norms. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 Sep. 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)