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# a character

phrase (noun phrase: a character, quite a character, real characters)

«a character» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism) an odd, unusual or lively person, sometimes hard to deal with.
2. (literal) a person in a story, film or play.
3. (literal) a letter, number or sign in writing, as on a keyboard.

### In the lessons

Said kindly or with a wink about someone eccentric, noisy or naughty; school reports, family talk, local news; all regions. The literal senses are very common in school (characters in a story, characters in a password).

### Examples

- Grandad is a real character — he wears odd socks on purpose.
- Report: «Tom is quite a character and keeps us all on our toes.»
- Who is the main character in the book?
- Your password needs at least eight characters.
- The little dog is a character; he steals socks and hides them.
- Local news: «The town has lost one of its great characters.»

### Note

As a euphemism it may mean «naughty», «loud» or «strange» — read the rest of the sentence. «Character» without «a» often means a person's nature («a girl of good character»). In maths and computing, «characters» are signs to count.