: typical of a person, thing, or group : showing the special qualities or traits of a person, thing, or group
He responded to their comments with characteristic good humor.
the herb's characteristic flavor
—often + ofSuch behavior is not characteristic of a good neighbor.
plural characteristics
: a special quality or trait that makes a person, thing, or group different from others
physical/genetic characteristics
—often + ofWhat are some of the characteristics of this breed of dog?
the distinctive/unique characteristics of the population
Cite this Entry
“Characteristic.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/characteristic. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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