Phrase guide

character reference

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A statement concerning the character of a person, typically for submission during a job application or court proceeding.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • requests for character references are all too often answered evasively

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: character, reference

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: recommendation, testimonial, good word

History

Etymology

From character + reference.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: երաշխավորագիր (erašxavoragir) — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Chinese Mandarin: 品行證明書 /品行证明书 (pǐnxíng zhèngmíngshū) — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Dutch: persoonlijke referentie — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Dutch: referentie — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Dutch: karakterreferentie — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Finnish: suosituskirje — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Finnish: suositus — statement concerning the character of a person
  • French: référence de caractère — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Russian: характери́стика (xarakterístika) — statement concerning the character of a person
  • Ukrainian: характери́стика (xarakterýstyka) — statement concerning the character of a person