Character vs. Integrity — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
Character is the sum of qualities defining a person. Integrity is adherence to moral and ethical principles.
Difference Between Character and Integrity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Encompasses the attributes, traits, and qualities that define a person. Focuses specifically on honesty, moral uprightness, and ethical standards.
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Can be positive or negative, depending on the qualities. Is consistently doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult or unseen.
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Develops through life experiences and influences. Integral to trustworthiness and credibility.
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Reflects how a person thinks, behaves, and interacts with others. Does not fluctuate; it’s maintained even under pressure.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Sum of personal qualities and traits
Adherence to moral and ethical principles
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Focus
Broad, encompasses various traits
Specifically on honesty and moral uprightness
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Consistency
Can evolve and change
Remains consistent, especially in adversity
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Influence on Actions
Guides general behavior and interactions
Dictates adherence to moral standards
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Perception
Can be positive or negative
Generally viewed positively
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Compare with Definitions
Character
She showed strong character in difficult times.
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Integrity
His integrity was evident in his truthful dealings.
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Character
The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group.
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Integrity
She acted with integrity, even when it was hard.
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Character
The distinguishing nature of something.
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Integrity
She maintained her integrity in a corrupt environment.
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Character
Moral strength; integrity
An educational program designed to develop character.
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Integrity
The integrity of the structure was crucial for safety.
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Character
Public estimation of someone; reputation
Personal attacks that damaged her character.
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Integrity
Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions.
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Character
(Biology) A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
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Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code
A leader of great integrity.
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Character
A person considered as having a specific quality or attribute
"Being a man of the world and a public character, [he] took everything as a matter of course" (George Eliot).
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Integrity
The state of being unimpaired; soundness
The building's integrity remained intact following the mild earthquake.
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Character
A person considered funny or eccentric
Catcalls from some character in the back row.
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Integrity
The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness
Replaced a lost book to restore the integrity of his collection.
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Character
A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.
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Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
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Character
A person or animal portrayed with a personality in comics or animation
A cartoon character.
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Integrity
The state of being wholesome; unimpaired
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Character
Characterization in fiction or drama
A script that is weak in plot but strong in character.
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Integrity
The quality or condition of being complete; pure
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Character
Status or role; capacity
In his character as the father.
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Integrity
(cryptography) With regards to data encryption, ensuring that information is not altered by unauthorized persons in a way that is not detectable by authorized users.
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Character
A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
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Integrity
(aviation) The ability of systems to provide timely warnings to users when they should not be used for navigation.
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Character
A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
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Integrity
Trustworthiness; keeping your word.
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Character
A mark or symbol used in a writing system.
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Integrity
The state or quality of being entire or complete; wholeness; entireness; unbroken state; as, the integrity of an empire or territory.
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Character
A Chinese character.
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Integrity
Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; - used especially with reference to the fulfillment of contracts, the discharge of agencies, trusts, and the like; uprightness; rectitude.
The moral grandeur of independent integrity is the sublimest thing in nature.
Their sober zeal, integrity, and worth.
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Character
One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.
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Integrity
Unimpaired, unadulterated, or genuine state; entire correspondence with an original condition; purity.
Language continued long in its purity and integrity.
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Character
The numerical code representing such a character.
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Integrity
An unreduced or unbroken completeness or totality
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Character
(Mathematics) The trace function of a representation.
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Integrity
Moral soundness
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Character
A style of printing or writing
"Here is the hand and seal of the Duke.
You know the character" (Shakespeare).
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Integrity
His integrity was consistent in all situations.
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Character
A cipher or code for secret writing.
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Character
Of or relating to one's character.
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Character
Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics
A character actor.
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Character
Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor
The character part of the hero's devoted mother.
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Character
Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features
A character sketch.
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Character
To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
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Character
To portray or describe; characterize.
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Character
(countable) A being involved in the action of a story.
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Character
(countable) A distinguishing feature; characteristic; trait; phene.
A single locus governing the petal colour character was detected on the linkage group A2.
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Character
A complex of traits marking a person, group, breed, or type.
A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out.
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Character
(uncountable) Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.
He has a great deal of character.
"You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character."
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Character
(countable) A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.
Julius Caesar is a great historical character.
That bloke is such a character.
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Character
(countable) A written or printed symbol, or letter.
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Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.
An inscription in the Runic character
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Character
A secret cipher; a way of writing in code.
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Character
One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.
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Character
A person or individual, especially one who is unknown.
We saw a shady character slinking out of the office with some papers.
That old guy is a real character.
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Character
A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
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Character
(countable) Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.
In the miserable character of a slave
In his character as a magistrate
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Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.
A man's character for truth and veracity
Her actions give her a bad character.
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Character
A reference given to a servant, attesting to their behaviour, competence, etc.
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Character
Personal appearance.
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Character
(obsolete) To write (using characters); to describe.
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Character
A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye.
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Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, an inscription in the Runic character.
You know the character to be your brother's?
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Character
The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition.
The character or that dominion.
Know well each Ancient's proper character;His fable, subject, scope in every page;Religion, Country, genius of his Age.
A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
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Character
Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character.
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Character
Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion.
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Character
Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter.
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Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character.
This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it.
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Character
A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant.
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Character
A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was a character; Cæsar is a great historical character.
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Character
One of the persons of a drama or novel.
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Character
To engrave; to inscribe.
These trees shall be my books.And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character.
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Character
To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize.
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Character
An imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story);
She is the main character in the novel
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Character
A characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something;
Each town has a quality all its own
The radical character of our demands
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Character
The inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions;
Education has for its object the formation of character
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Character
An actor's portrayal of someone in a play;
She played the part of Desdemona
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Character
A person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities);
A real character
A strange character
A friendly eccentric
The capable type
A mental case
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Character
Good repute;
He is a man of character
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Character
A formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability;
Requests for character references are all to often answered evasively
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Character
A written symbol that is used to represent speech;
The Greek alphabet has 24 characters
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Character
Engrave or inscribe characters on
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Character
His character was defined by kindness and intelligence.
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Character
The novel’s main character was complex and intriguing.
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Character
His character was impeccable in the community.
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Character
Her cheerful character made her popular.
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Common Curiosities
Is character always positive?
No, character can encompass both positive and negative traits.
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Can integrity change over time?
Integrity is typically consistent, reflecting steadfast moral principles.
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Is character innate or learned?
Character is influenced by both innate qualities and life experiences.
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Does integrity play a role in professional settings?
Absolutely, integrity is key in building trust and credibility professionally.
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Is character important in leadership?
Yes, character is crucial in determining a leader’s effectiveness and influence.
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Is integrity the same as honesty?
Honesty is a part of integrity, but integrity encompasses broader moral principles.
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Can character be accurately judged by others?
It can be challenging, as character involves internal qualities and is subjective.
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Does integrity require actions or intentions?
Integrity involves both moral intentions and actions.
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Can a person with good character lack integrity?
Yes, someone can have positive traits but struggle with moral consistency.
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Does character influence personal relationships?
Yes, an individual’s character significantly impacts their relationships.
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Is it possible to regain integrity after losing it?
Regaining integrity can be challenging, but it’s possible with consistent, ethical behavior.
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Is integrity linked to accountability?
Yes, integrity involves being accountable for one’s actions and decisions.
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Can a crisis reveal true integrity?
Often, integrity is most evident during challenging or crisis situations.
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Can someone’s character evolve?
Yes, character can evolve and change over time.
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Do societal norms influence character?
Societal norms and cultural influences can shape aspects of one’s character.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
