Collocations for character - noun
1. person''s nature/person with a particular nature
ADJ.
good, excellent, exemplary, impeccable | generous, gentle, likeable, lovable, popular | colourful, larger-than-life, lively, real
You must have come across some real characters, working in the circus.
You must have come across some real characters, working in the circus.
reformed
He used to go out every night, but now he''s a reformed character.
He used to go out every night, but now he''s a reformed character.
complex, elusive, enigmatic, odd | forceful, formidable, strong | weak | volatile | prickly, unpleasant | bad, evil, ruthless, violent | dubious, shady, suspicious
Who''s that suspicious character hanging around outside?
Who''s that suspicious character hanging around outside?
true | local
The pub was full of colourful local characters.
The pub was full of colourful local characters.
human | moral
a woman of impeccable moral character
a woman of impeccable moral character
VERB + CHARACTER
be, have | form, make up | reveal
She revealed her true character when anyone disagreed with her.
She revealed her true character when anyone disagreed with her.
conceal, hide | reflect
His scruffy appearance does not reflect his character.
His scruffy appearance does not reflect his character.
CHARACTER + NOUN
trait | defect | change
She''s undergone a complete character change since her promotion.
She''s undergone a complete character change since her promotion.
reference
Applicants were required to obtain character references before being considered for the work.
Applicants were required to obtain character references before being considered for the work.
assassination
The defence lawyer attempted a character assassination of the witness (= tried to show the witness had a bad character).
The defence lawyer attempted a character assassination of the witness (= tried to show the witness had a bad character).
actor, actress
PREP.
in sb''s ~
It''s not in his character to tell lies.
It''s not in his character to tell lies.
out of ~
The lawyer argued that his client''s violent behaviour was out of character.
The lawyer argued that his client''s violent behaviour was out of character.
2. nature of sth
ADJ.
distinctive, individual, unique | essential, fundamental, intrinsic | original | traditional
The renovated buildings retain their traditional character.
The renovated buildings retain their traditional character.
international, national, regional
Food in Italy has a distinct regional character. | the features that make up the national character
Food in Italy has a distinct regional character. | the features that make up the national character
intimate | public
the public character of material published on the Internet
the public character of material published on the Internet
serious
offences of a serious character
offences of a serious character
military, political | rural, urban
The development detracts from the rural character of the area.
The development detracts from the rural character of the area.
VERB + CHARACTER
have
Each house in the street has its own distinctive character.
Each house in the street has its own distinctive character.
assume, take on
As you move north, the landscape takes on a different character.
As you move north, the landscape takes on a different character.
form, make up
factors that form the character of a nation
factors that form the character of a nation
lose
The town centre has lost much of its original character.
The town centre has lost much of its original character.
retain | preserve | give sth
It''s the basil that gives the sauce its essential character.
It''s the basil that gives the sauce its essential character.
PREP.
in ~
The houses areMediterranean in character.
The houses areMediterranean in character.
3. interesting quality that sth has
ADJ.
considerable, great
VERB + CHARACTER
have
His face has character - I''ll say that for it.
His face has character - I''ll say that for it.
add, give sth
the individual touches that give character to a house
the individual touches that give character to a house
PREP.
of ~
buildings of considerable character
buildings of considerable character
PHRASES
full of character
The restaurant is cheap and full of character.
The restaurant is cheap and full of character.
have a character of its own/all (of) its own
Your handwriting has a character of its own.
Your handwriting has a character of its own.
4. person''s inner strength
ADJ.
great
VERB + CHARACTER
show
The team showed great character in coming back to win.
The team showed great character in coming back to win.
build
Adventure camps are considered to be character-building.
Adventure camps are considered to be character-building.
PHRASES
strength of character
5. person in a story/film, etc.
ADJ.
central, chief, leading, main, principal | minor, supporting | fictional, fictitious | believable | sympathetic, unsympathetic | comic, heroic, tragic | cartoon
VERB + CHARACTER
play, portray
The main character is played by Nicole Kidman.
The main character is played by Nicole Kidman.
develop
the artist who developed the Superman character
the artist who developed the Superman character
kill off
The writers killed off her character when she wanted to leave the soap.
The writers killed off her character when she wanted to leave the soap.
CHARACTER + NOUN
development
PREP.
in ~
The actors remained in character to answer questions from the audience.
The actors remained in character to answer questions from the audience.
6. letter/sign in writing/printing
ADJ.
Chinese | ASCII, numeric
QUANT.
set, string
VERB + CHARACTER
insert | delete
CHARACTER + NOUN
set, string