Character Development Vocabulary

noun a person in a work of fiction

adjective of poor quality or low standard

• The lawyer argued that the defendant had a bad character based on previous criminal convictions.
• I heard that new employee has a bad character, always showing up late and lying to the boss.
• Stay away from that guy, he's got a bad character and can't be trusted.
• In literature, the villain is often portrayed with a bad character to create conflict in the story.

adjective describing someone or something as lacking distinct characteristics or qualities

• The characterless design of the building did not reflect the rich history of the neighborhood.
• The characterless new restaurant in town has been getting mixed reviews.
• That movie was so characterless, I fell asleep halfway through.
• Her characterless personality made it difficult for others to connect with her.

noun a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen

verb to strongly wish for or want something

• Her desire for success drove her to work long hours and strive for excellence.
• I have a strong desire to travel the world and see new places.
• I've got a real hankering for some pizza right now.
• His desire to break free from the constraints of society was like a fire burning within him.

noun A book in which one keeps a daily record of events, experiences, and personal thoughts

• She diligently wrote in her diary every evening, documenting her thoughts and experiences.
• I spilled coffee on my diary, now all my secrets are smudged.
• I keep a diary to spill all the tea on my day.
• His diary was a window into his soul, revealing his innermost thoughts and emotions.

adjective Associated in close personal relations

adverb In a close and familiar manner; closely or privately

• The two companies are intimately connected through a long-standing partnership.
• They were intimately involved in planning the surprise party.
• I know that topic intimately because I've been studying it for years.
• The artist's paintings are intimately connected to his emotions and experiences.

adjective having the quality of being overly proper or precise; self-righteously moralistic

• Her priggish attitude towards proper etiquette made her stand out at the formal dinner party.
• He can be a bit priggish when it comes to his taste in music, always criticizing others' choices.
• Don't be so priggish, just relax and have a good time at the party.
• His priggish nature towards change hindered his ability to adapt to new situations.

noun the main character in a story, play, or movie who drives the plot forward

adjective relating to or characteristic of a protagonist

• The protagonist of the novel was a young woman struggling to find her place in society.
• The main character in the movie is the protagonist, who goes on a wild adventure.
• Dude, the protagonist in that show is so cool, he's like the ultimate hero.
• In the game of life, we are all the protagonists of our own stories.

noun a person who is not known or specified

pronoun referring to an unknown or unspecified person

• It is important to always treat someone with respect in a professional setting.
• If someone asks for help, just lend a hand without hesitation.
• I heard someone spilled the tea about what really happened at the party.
• Sometimes, it feels like someone is always watching over us, guiding our actions.

verb to change or transform in a remarkable or supernatural way

• The artist used light and shadow to transfigure the ordinary scene into something extraordinary.
• With a little bit of makeup, she can transfigure her appearance in no time.
• I can't believe how that filter can transfigure your selfies to look so different.
• His words had the power to transfigure her mood from sadness to joy in an instant.

verb to open or relax a clenched fist or hand

• She was instructed to unclench her fists during the meditation session.
• Just relax and unclench your jaw, it's not worth getting so worked up over.
• Dude, you need to unclench and stop stressing about every little thing.
• It's time to unclench your heart and let go of the past grievances.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The phrase 'abeunt studia in mores' is often used in academic discussions about the influence of education on character.
• People say 'abeunt studia in mores' when they want to emphasize how learning shapes behavior.
• You know how they say 'abeunt studia in mores'? It's like saying education changes who you are.
• Just like how knowledge transforms into habits, 'abeunt studia in mores' illustrates the connection between learning and behavior.

noun a role or character that one is portraying in a performance or situation

verb to behave in a manner consistent with a particular role or character

• It is important for actors to fully understand their characters in order to effectively act the part.
• Just try to act the part and pretend like you know what you're doing.
• She's really good at acting the part of a tough girl, even though she's actually really sweet.
• In order to succeed in this business, you have to be able to act the part of a confident and capable leader, even if you're feeling unsure.