character
word
Definition
A character can be a person in a story, the kind of personality someone has, or a letter, number, or symbol in writing or computing. The meaning depends on the context.
Usage & Nuances
Very context-dependent. For stories, common collocations are 'main character' and 'fictional character'. For personality, 'have character' often suggests strength or individuality, while 'good character' is more formal. In tech, 'special character' means a symbol like @ or #. Don't confuse 'character' with 'characteristic', which means a typical feature.
Example Sentences
My favorite character in the movie is the old wizard.
basic
She has a kind character and helps everyone.
basic
This password needs at least one special character.
basic
The side characters were more interesting than the hero, honestly.
natural
He may seem quiet, but he has a lot of character.
natural
There’s an extra character in your email address, so it won’t work.
natural