Trait vs. Character: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 30, 2023
Trait refers to a specific quality or characteristic that distinguishes an individual, often inherent or acquired. Character is the aggregate of traits that form an individual's moral and ethical nature.
Key Differences
Trait is a specific characteristic, quality, or attribute that is inherent in an individual or developed over time. These can be physical, like eye color, or psychological, like being introverted. Character, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses the collection of traits that define a person’s ethical and moral standing. It shapes how a person interacts with the world and is a sum of various traits.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
In grammatical terms, both "trait" and "character" function as nouns in American English. "Trait" is a countable noun, which means you can have one trait, two traits, and so forth. "Character" is both a countable and uncountable noun, depending on the context. As a countable noun, it refers to a person in a story, while as an uncountable noun, it refers to moral qualities.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
A trait is usually more fixed and less likely to change. For example, a person may be born with a trait for musical ability. Character is often considered more malleable, shaped by life experiences and ethical choices. It is subject to change and development throughout a person's life.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Trait is often used in the study of genetics and psychology to explain patterns in behavior or physical attributes. Character is a term more commonly associated with ethics, literature, and moral philosophy. It deals with qualities like integrity, honesty, and courage, which are built on a combination of different traits.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Trait and Character Definitions
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Character
The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
She is a person of good character.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Trait
A distinguishing quality or characteristic.
His most noticeable trait is his kindness.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Character
The reputation of a person or thing.
The hotel has a character of luxury.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Character
The traits and features that form an individual.
His character is a blend of many traits.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
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Character
The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
Moral strength; integrity
An educational program designed to develop character.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
Public estimation of someone; reputation
Personal attacks that damaged her character.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Trait
(Archaic) A short line or mark made with a writing or drawing implement.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
(Biology) A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
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Sep 17, 2023
Trait
An identifying characteristic, habit or trend.
The number one personality trait I hate is hypocrisy. Why can't you be consistent!?
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A person considered as having a specific quality or attribute
"Being a man of the world and a public character, [he] took everything as a matter of course" (George Eliot).
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Sep 17, 2023
Trait
(object-oriented) An uninstantiable collection of methods that provides functionality to a class by using the class’s own interface.
Traits are somewhat between an interface and a mixin.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
A person considered funny or eccentric
Catcalls from some character in the back row.
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Sep 17, 2023
Trait
A stroke; a touch.
By this single trait Homer makes an essential difference between the Iliad and Odyssey.
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Sep 17, 2023
Trait
A distinguishing or marked feature; a peculiarity; as, a trait of character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A person or animal portrayed with a personality in comics or animation
A cartoon character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Characterization in fiction or drama
A script that is weak in plot but strong in character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A style of printing or writing
"Here is the hand and seal of the Duke.
You know the character" (Shakespeare).
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics
A character actor.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor
The character part of the hero's devoted mother.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features
A character sketch.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
(countable) A distinguishing feature; characteristic; trait; phene.
A single locus governing the petal colour character was detected on the linkage group A2.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A complex of traits marking a person, group, breed, or type.
A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
(uncountable) Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.
He has a great deal of character.
"You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character."
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
(countable) A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.
Julius Caesar is a great historical character.
That bloke is such a character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.
An inscription in the Runic character
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A person or individual, especially one who is unknown.
We saw a shady character slinking out of the office with some papers.
That old guy is a real character.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
(countable) Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.
In the miserable character of a slave
In his character as a magistrate
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.
A man's character for truth and veracity
Her actions give her a bad character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A reference given to a servant, attesting to their behaviour, competence, etc.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, an inscription in the Runic character.
You know the character to be your brother's?
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition.
The character or that dominion.
Know well each Ancient's proper character;His fable, subject, scope in every page;Religion, Country, genius of his Age.
A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character.
This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was a character; Cæsar is a great historical character.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
To engrave; to inscribe.
These trees shall be my books.And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Character
To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize.
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
An imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story);
She is the main character in the novel
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something;
Each town has a quality all its own
The radical character of our demands
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
The inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions;
Education has for its object the formation of character
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
An actor's portrayal of someone in a play;
She played the part of Desdemona
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities);
A real character
A strange character
A friendly eccentric
The capable type
A mental case
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability;
Requests for character references are all to often answered evasively
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A written symbol that is used to represent speech;
The Greek alphabet has 24 characters
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Sep 17, 2023
Character
A person in a novel, play, or movie.
The main character dies in the end.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Character
A symbol in a writing system.
The dollar sign is a special character.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
FAQs
What is Character?
Character is the aggregate of moral and ethical traits of an individual.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Is Character a noun?
Yes, "character" is both a countable and uncountable noun in American English.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
What is a Trait?
A trait is a specific characteristic or quality of an individual.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Is Trait related to genetics?
Traits can be genetic, like eye color, or acquired, like skills.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
Is Character innate?
Character is often shaped by life experiences and ethical choices.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
How do Trait and Character differ?
A trait is a single attribute, while character is a collection of various traits.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
What field studies Traits?
Traits are often studied in genetics and psychology.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Is Trait singular or plural?
"Trait" can be both singular ("one trait") and plural ("many traits").
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Is Character always moral?
Generally, character refers to an individual’s moral and ethical nature.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Can Character change?
Character is considered more malleable and can change over time.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
What field studies Character?
Character is often studied in ethics and literature.
Sara Rehman
Oct 29, 2023
Can Character refer to a story role?
Yes, as a countable noun, "character" refers to a person in a story.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Do Traits make up Character?
Yes, character is a collection of various traits.
Harlon Moss
Oct 29, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
