Characteristic vs. Principle: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A "characteristic" is a distinguishing trait or quality of someone or something, while a "principle" is a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
Key Differences
Characteristics define the qualities or features of a person, object, or concept, such as color, shape, or behavior. Principles are foundational truths or rules that guide actions, decisions, or beliefs.
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A characteristic is often observable and can be a physical or behavioral trait. Principles, however, are more abstract, representing core ideas or values.
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Characteristics can vary widely between individuals or objects, highlighting uniqueness or commonality. Principles tend to be universal, providing a basis for consistent conduct or thought.
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In biology, characteristics refer to traits of organisms, essential for identification. In philosophy or ethics, principles are foundational beliefs or standards that influence moral reasoning.
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Characteristics can change over time or with circumstances. Principles are generally enduring, often upheld over long periods as fundamental truths or guidelines.
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Comparison Chart
Contexts of Use
Biology, psychology, physical sciences
Philosophy, ethics, law
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Characteristic and Principle Definitions
Characteristic
A typical or noticeable quality.
His characteristic humor enlivened the meeting.
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Principle
A basic rule or standard.
She adheres to the principle of honesty in all dealings.
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Characteristic
An identifying attribute.
Agility is a characteristic of this species.
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Principle
A guiding concept or idea.
The design was based on the principle of simplicity.
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Characteristic
A component that defines something.
Durability is a key characteristic of this product.
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Principle
A fundamental truth or belief.
The principle of equality guides our policies.
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Characteristic
A distinguishing quality.
Blue eyes are a characteristic of her family.
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Principle
A foundational proposition.
His actions are grounded in moral principles.
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Characteristic
Being a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing; distinctive
Heard my friend's characteristic laugh.
The stripes that are characteristic of the zebra.
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Characteristic
A feature that helps to identify, tell apart, or describe recognizably; a distinguishing mark or trait.
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Principle
A rule or standard, especially of good behavior
A man of principle.
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Characteristic
(Mathematics) The integral part of a logarithm as distinguished from the mantissa
The characteristic of the logarithm 6.3214 is 6.
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Principle
The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments
A decision based on principle rather than expediency.
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Characteristic
(Mathematics) The least number of times the multiplicative identity in a ring needs to be added to itself to reach the additive identity, or, if the additive identity is never reached, zero. The integers have a characteristic of zero; the integers modulo 12 have a characteristic of 12.
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Principle
A basic or essential quality or element determining intrinsic nature or characteristic behavior
The principle of self-preservation.
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Principle
A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes
The principle of jet propulsion.
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Principle
(Chemistry) One of the elements that compose a substance, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.
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Characteristic
(nautical) The distinguishing features of a navigational light on a lighthouse etc by which it can be identified (colour, pattern of flashes etc.).
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Characteristic
For a given field or ring, a natural number that is either the smallest positive number n such that n instances of the multiplicative identity (1) summed together yield the additive identity (0) or, if no such number exists, the number 0.
The characteristic of a field, if non-zero, must be a prime number.
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Principle
A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
We need some sort of principles to reason from.
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Characteristic
Pertaining to, or serving to constitute, the character; showing the character, or distinctive qualities or traits, of a person or thing; peculiar; distinctive.
Characteristic clearness of temper.
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Principle
A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.
The principle of least privilege holds that a process should only receive the permissions it needs.
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Characteristic
A distinguishing trait, quality, or property; an element of character; that which characterized.
The characteristics of a true critic.
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Principle
Moral rule or aspect.
I don't doubt your principles.
You are clearly a person of principle.
It's the principle of the thing; I won't do business with someone I can't trust.
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Characteristic
The integral part (whether positive or negative) of a logarithm.
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Principle
(physics) A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.
Bernoulli's Principle
The Pauli Exclusion Principle prevents two fermions from occupying the same state.
The principle of the internal combustion engine
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Characteristic
A prominent aspect of something;
The map showed roads and other features
Generosity is one of his best characteristics
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Principle
A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.
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Principle
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
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Characteristic
The integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
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Characteristic
Any measurable property of a device measured under closely specified conditions
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Characteristic
Typical or distinctive;
Heard my friend's characteristic laugh
Red and gold are the characteristic colors of autumn
Stripes characteristic of the zebra
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Characteristic
A trait or feature of something.
The characteristic sweetness of the fruit is appealing.
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Principle
(transitive) To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct.
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Principle
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
The soul of man is an active principle.
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Principle
An original faculty or endowment.
Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].
Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering.
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Principle
A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.
Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.
A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad.
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Principle
A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle.
All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind.
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Principle
Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; - applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.
Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna.
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Principle
To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill.
Governors should be well principled.
Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired.
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Principle
A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct;
Their principles of composition characterized all their works
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Principle
A rule or standard especially of good behavior;
A man of principle
He will not violate his principles
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Principle
A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system;
The principle of the conservation of mass
The principle of jet propulsion
The right-hand rule for inductive fields
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Principle
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature);
The rationale for capital punishment
The principles of internal-combustion engines
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Principle
An essential doctrine or tenet.
The principles of democracy are important to understand.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are principles universal?
Principles are often universal, serving as foundational guidelines.
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What does principle mean?
A principle is a fundamental truth or rule that guides behavior or beliefs.
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What is a characteristic?
A characteristic is a distinguishing trait or quality of something.
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Can principles change over time?
Principles are generally enduring, though they can evolve in some contexts.
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Are principles always moral?
Principles can be moral, ethical, or practical in nature.
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Can characteristics be physical?
Yes, characteristics can be physical or behavioral.
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Is a characteristic unique to an individual?
A characteristic can be unique or shared among individuals or objects.
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Can organizations have characteristics?
Yes, organizations can have distinct characteristics or qualities.
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Are principles important in decision-making?
Principles play a crucial role in guiding decisions and actions.
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Can characteristics be inherited?
Some characteristics, like genetic traits, can be inherited.
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Do characteristics define a person?
Characteristics help to define and describe a person or object.
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Do principles apply to everyone?
Principles are often designed to apply universally, though interpretations can vary.
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Can principles be personal?
Yes, individuals can have personal principles that guide their behavior.
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Do characteristics relate to personality?
Yes, characteristics can include aspects of personality.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can characteristics change?
Some characteristics can change over time, while others are more constant.
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Dec 05, 2023
Do characteristics include behavior?
Yes, characteristics can include both physical traits and behavior.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is understanding principles important in philosophy?
Understanding principles is fundamental in philosophy and ethical reasoning.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is a principle the same as a law?
A principle is a foundational truth, while a law is a formal rule or guideline.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are characteristics important in identification?
Characteristics are key in identifying and distinguishing individuals or objects.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are principles taught in education?
Yes, principles are often taught as part of moral and ethical education.
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Dec 05, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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