Phrase guide

out of character

prep_phrase · 3 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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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The burst of anger was out of character for the normally placid boy.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Not in character; not in the zone; not successfully performing within the mindset of a given character in a theatrical performance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Topics: acting, broadcasting, entertainment, film, lifestyle, media, television, theater

Examples

  • I was out of character for most of the first act because those people in the third row wouldn't stop chatting.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

Not acting; not "on"; behaving within one's natural personality rather than that of a character, or taking actions entirely outside the fictional context.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Qualifier: roleplaying games

Topics: acting, broadcasting, entertainment, film, lifestyle, media, television, theater

Examples

  • After watching him perform so energetically, it is a bit of a trip to hang out with him when he's out of character. In real life, he's really mellow.
  • Susan asked the GM, out of character, whether she was able to sense magic in the room.
  • The comedian stepped out of character to mug directly to the audience.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: xas olmayan — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour
  • Chinese Mandarin: 出戲 /出戏 (chūxì) — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour
  • Finnish: ei luonteenomainen — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour
  • French: inhabituel de la part de quelqu'un — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour
  • French: qui ne correspond pas à quelqu'un — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour
  • Māori: haraki — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour
  • Polish: nietypowy — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour
  • Russian: несво́йственно (nesvójstvenno) — inconsistent with someone's personality, disposition, or usual expected behaviour