Definition: A distinguishing feature of a person or thing.

Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look! You’ve encountered the word “characteristics,” and you’re right to ask what it means. The dictionary gives us a good start – "a distinguishing feature." Let's break that down, shall we? Think of it like this: every single thing, whether it’s a person, an animal, or even a flower, has special qualities that make it unique . These are its characteristics. Characteristics are the things that help us tell one thing apart from another. Let's look at some examples to really drive it home: A dog’s characteristic: might be its floppy ears and wagging tail – those are features that make that dog different from a cat, for instance. A person’s characteristics: could include their favorite color, or how they laugh, or perhaps their love of reading – things that show what makes them special! Essentially, it's about the traits , the qualities , the details that make something who or what it is. Does that rhyme and explanation help you understand a little better? Do you have any questions about how we might identify characteristics in different things?