plural characters
1
: the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality
—usually singular
He rarely shows his true character—that of a kind and sensitive person.
This is a side of her character that few people have seen.
the different aspects/facets of her character
—often used before another nounCertain character traits are helpful in the teaching profession.
Pride, his one character flaw, caused his downfall.
2
: a set of qualities that are shared by many people in a group, country, etc.
—usually singular
the character of the American people
the character of a nation
the French/Japanese/Mexican national character
3
a
: a set of qualities that make a place or thing different from other places or things
the wine's distinctive character
the unique character of the town/city/region
The building is very simple in character.
Note: If something is in character with something else, it has the same qualities or characteristics as something else.
b
: the qualities or characteristics that make something interesting or special
The room lacks character. [=there's nothing special about the room]
Their house has a lot of character.
4
: a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show
The film's main characters are a woman in her late 30s and her elderly neighbor.
She plays the film's lead/main/central character.
a fictional character [=a character in a work of fiction]
a popular cartoon character
the title character of the book Tom Sawyer [=the character named Tom Sawyer]
5
informal
a
: a particular type of person
He's a strange/interesting character.
b
: a person who says or does funny or unusual things
That husband of yours is a real character!
She's quite a character.
6
a
: the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness
She's a kind and honest person of good character.
They believe that going to church will improve the moral character of their children.
He is admired for his strength of character in stressful situations.
Playing sports is seen as a way to build character in young people. = Playing sports is seen as character-building for young people.
Note: A test of (your) character is something that is difficult and that requires you to show that you are a good and emotionally strong person.
b
: the usually good beliefs or opinions that most people have about a particular person
They defended the character [=reputation] of their friend.
an attack on his character
7
: a symbol (such as a letter or number) that is used in writing or printing
the Chinese character for "water"
The line is 30 characters long.
Cite this Entry
“Character.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/character. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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