characteristically

Everyday

1. In a way that is typical of a particular person or thing; as they usually do: «Characteristically, Grandma brought cake.» tree →
2. In a way that shows a special feature of something: «The leaves are characteristically heart-shaped.» tree →

In the lessons

In stories it tells the reader that a character acted just as you would expect from them. In science it describes the typical features used to recognise a plant, animal or material. Related: «characteristic» (a typical feature), «typically».

Examples

• Characteristically, Toad crashed the car on his first day. tree →
• The cat characteristically ignored us when we came home. tree →
• Holly leaves are characteristically spiky. tree →
• She answered characteristically fast, with her hand up first. tree →
• Characteristically for a cheetah, it sprinted and then rested. tree →
• He was characteristically late for the bus. tree →
• The weather was characteristically wet for a Manchester spring. tree →

Note

Long word: char-ac-ter-IS-tic-al-ly (ends in «-ally», not «-aly»). Opposite: «uncharacteristically» (not like them at all). Means the same as «typically» but more formal.