characterize

Universal Words (BrE also characterise) verb [VN] (formal) 1 to be typical of a person, place or thing: the rolling hills that characterize this part of England 2 [oftenpassive] to give sth its typical or most noticeable qualities or features: The city is characterized by tall modern buildings in steel and glass. 3 ~ sb/sth (as sth) to describe or show the qualities of sb/sth in a particular way: activities that are characterized as 'male' or 'female' work * How would you characterize the mood of the 1990s?