character

noun

1 ALL SB'S QUALITIES (countable usually singular) the particular combination of qualities that makes someone a particular kind of person: There is a serious side to her character. | be in/out of character (=be typical or untypical of someone's character): I can't believe she lied to me - it seems so out of character. | the English/French etc character: Openness is at the heart of the American character.

-see characteristic 1

2 QUALITIES OF STH (singular, uncountable) the particular combination of features and qualities that makes a thing or place different from all others: the unspoilt character of the coast

(+ of): In only ten years the whole character of the school has changed. | in character: Liquids are different in character from both solids and gases.

3 INTERESTING QUALITY (U) a quality that makes someone or something special and interesting: These new houses have very little character.

4 MORAL STRENGTH (U) a combination of qualities such as courage and loyalty that are admired and regarded as valuable: a woman of great character | character building (=activity aimed at developing these qualities): outdoor programs that are meant to be character building

5 PERSON (C)

a) a person in a book, play, film etc: Hardy's main character is a young milkmaid whose life ends in tragedy.

b) a person of a particular kind, especially a strange or dishonest one: a couple of suspicious-looking characters standing outside the house

c) be a character to be an interesting, and unusual person: Kurt's quite a character - he has so many tales to tell.

6 REPUTATION (U) formal reputation: a man of previous good character | a slur on your character (=something that harms your character in other people's opinion) | character assassination (=a cruel and unfair attack on someone's character)

7 LETTER/SIGN (C) a letter, mark, or sign used in writing, printing, or computing: Chinese characters