Character Trait Examples (List of 101 Personality Traits in Literature)

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Character traits are important aspects of any character in fiction. They help the author to describe its character’s true nature, personality and make them more lifelike.

Character Traits-

Character traits define a character’s personality, behaviour, and the way they act in certain circumstances, situations, or interacting with other characters.

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Like natural aspects of human behaviour and personality, showcasing both vice & virtue, flaw & perfection, good or evil, every character in a fictional story contains character (personality) traits which can be good, bad or both.

Learning about different character traits will help you to better develop your character and also to create a memorable character that readers adore for their lifetime.

Related: Anti-Hero Character Traits

Character Trait Examples in Literature-

Take a deeper dive into character traits and understand the term closely by exploring the examples of character traits of the renowned fictional characters from popular novels.

Let’s have a look at the examples of character (personality) traits of some popular characters in literature.

1. Harry Potter book series

character traits examples from harry potter books
Harry Potter book series
by J.K Rowling

CHARACTERS-

Harry Potter

harry potter character traits

Character Traits- Brave, forgiving, intelligent, selfless, loyal, kind, sassy, moody, determined.


Hermione Granger

hermione granger character traits

Character Traits- Clever, levelheaded, book-smart, logical, bossy-ish, inspiring, brave, kind, impatient, loyal, smart


Ron Weasley

ron weasley character traits

Character Traits- Lazy, loyal, funny, hot-headed, courageous, immature, protective, adventurous, mischievous. 


Draco Malfoy

draco malfoy character traits

Character Traits- Intelligent, cunning, Snobby, Insecure, mean, selfish, arrogant, bully, skilled, prejudiced, adaptable 


Neville Longbottom

neville longbottom charactr traits

Character Traits- Clumsy, shy, timid, bumbling, insecure, sensitive, nervous, determined, kind, humble, noble, brave, heroic, forgetful


Albus Dumbledore

albus dumbaldore character traits

Character Traits- Wise, kind, gentle, knowledgeable, secretive, open-minded, caring, intelligent, understanding, manipulative, benevolent, self-sacrificing, emotional


 Severus Snape

severus snape character traits

Character Traits- Cold, sarcastic, bitter, precise, calculating, insecure, talented, ambitious, judgmental, cruel, intelligent, committed, skilled, bully, malicious,


Rubeus Hagrid

hagrid character traits

Character Traits- Warm, kind-hearted, courageous, loyal, emotional, hard-working, generous, insecure, determined, forgetful, caring, sneaky, dishonest, sensitive, helpful, selfless, fatherly.


Sirius Black

sirius black character traits

Character Traits- Over-emotional, rebellious, caring, arrogant, brave, impatient, reckless, loyal, brooding.


Lucius Malfoy

lucius malfoy character traits

Character Traits- Vain, fickle, bigoted, arrogant, odious, sneaky, cruel, cowardice, wicked, disloyal, unreliable, intelligent, vindictive, slippery, manipulative


Dobby

dobby character traits

Character Traits- Brave, loyal, innocent, cowardly, paranoid, scared, shy, heroic, anxious, quiet, timid, friendly, sweet, helpful, passive, quirky, sensitive.


Lord Voldemort

voldmort character traits

Character Traits- Ruthless, cold, powerful, cruel, evil, psychopath, sadistic, tyrannical, merciless, black-hearted, manipulative, mysterious, dangerous, violent, failure-intolerant 

Related: Dynamic Character Examples


2. The Great Gatsby

character traits examples from the great gatsby
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald

CHARACTERS-

Jay Gatsby

gatsby character traits

Character Traits- Dishonest, flowed, vulgar, optimistic, mysterious, dreamer, hopeful,


Nick Carraway

nick carraway character traits

Character Traits- Honest, tolerant, confident, open-minded, quiet, observant, impressionable, naive, self-deprecating, judgemental, straightforward


Daisy Buchanan

daisy buchanan character traits

Character Traits- Charming, shallow, sophisticated, fickle, selfish, hurtful, beautiful, irresponsible, disappointing


Tom Buchanan

tom buchanan character traits

Character Traits- Hypocrite, racist, sexist, brutal, unfaithful, menace, bully, arrogant, hulking, aggressive,

Related: Round Character Examples


3. To Kill a Mockingbird

character traits examples from To kill a mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee

CHARACTERS-

Atticus Finch

atticus finch character traits

Character Traits- Wise, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful, brave, honorable, honest, patient, moral, admirable, idealistic


Scout Finch

scout finch character traits

Character Traits- Tomboy, adorable, intelligent, sensitive, emotional, confidant, thoughtful, questioner, observer, outspoken, brave, curious


Jem Finch

jem finch character traits

Character Traits- Caring, kind, imaginative, curious, stubborn

Related: Static Character Examples


4. Pride and Prejudice

character traits examples from pride and prejudice
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen

CHARACTERS-

Elizabeth Bennet

elizabeth bennet character traits examples

Character Traits- Intelligent, Lovely, witty, vivacious, judgmental, impulsive, stubborn, lively.


Jane Bennet

jane bennet character traits examples

Character Traits- Kind, gentle, reserved, considerate, sweet-tempered, beautiful, good-natured, modest, angelic.


Fitzwilliam Darcy

fitzwilliam darcy character traits

Character Traits- Intelligent, honest, proud, judgmental, class-conscious, forthright, forbidding, noble, wealthy.


Charles Bingley

charles bingley character traits

Character Traits- Wealthy, attractive, affable, easily swayed, lively, easygoing, good-humored, gentlemanlike, humble, sincere, optimistic, modest.


Mr. Collins

mr collins character traits

Character Traits- Conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, annoying, fawning, idiotic.


George Wickham

george wickham character traits

Character Traits- Charming, handsome, well-spoken, manipulative, irresponsible, opportunist, liar.


Miss Charlotte Bingley

miss collins character traits

Character Traits- Snobby, vain, arrogant, offensive, mean, glamorous, haughty, envious, sly.


5. Little Women

character traits examples from the little women
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott

CHARACTERS-

Jo March

jo march character traits examples

Character Traits- Tomboyish, sassy, daring, outspoken, bookworm, bold, original, caring, tempestuous, reckless, talented, smart, independent, hot-tempered, rambunctious, imaginative, stubborn, impulsive.


Meg March

meg march character traits examples

Character Traits- Demure, romantic, mature, sweet-natured, dutiful, well-behaved, elegant, delicate, devoted, mother-like, considerate, caring.


Amy March

amy march character traits examples

Character Traits- Artistic, ambitious, self-centered, spoiled, melodramatic, selfish, people-orianted, out-going, extrovert.


Beth March

beth march character traits

Character Traits- Sweet, sensitive, shy, timid, soft-spoken, kind, reserved, selfless, quiet, pious, musical, peaceful.


Theodore ”Laurie” Laurence

laurie character traits

Character Traits- Charming, handsome, wealthy, sharp, cheeky, out-going, fun-loving, easy-going, high-spirited, protective, kind



List of 101 Character (Personality) Traits in Literature

The list includes the most common character (personality) traits used by the writers for their characters.

1. Brave

2. Humble

3. Honest

4. Loyal

5. Kind

7. Forgiving

8. Trustworthy

9. Sly

10. Selfless

11. Proud

12. Determined

13. Clever

14. Manipulative

15. Protective

16. Wealthy

17. Courageous

18. Daring

19. Vain

20. Eager

21. Strict

22. Adventurous

23. Skilled

24. Liar

25. Serious

26. Shy

27. Timid

28. Bumbling

29. Hot-tempered

30. Impulsive

31. Sensitive

32. Jealous

33. Noble

34. Opportunist

35. Reckless

36. Heroic

37. Wise

38. Dutiful

39. Gentle

40. Open Minded

41. Mature

42. Calm

43. Snobby

44. Emotional

45. Annoying

46. Considerate

47. Tolerant

48. Miserable

49. Intelligent

50. Caring

list of character traits examples in literature

51. Romantic

52. Talented

53. Haughty

54. Determined

55. Ambitious

56. Lazy

57. Stubborn

58. Committed

59. Rude

60. Warm 

61. Self-centered

62. Spoiled

63. Kind-hearted

64. Quiet

65. Faithful

66. Melodramatic

67. Hardworking

68. Selfish

69. Extrovert

70. Generous

71. Helpful

72. Soft-spoken

73. Optimistic

74. Honest

75. Funny

76. Confidant

77. Dishonest

78. Grumpy

79. Sincere

80. Compassionate

81. Thoughtful

82. Bossy

83. Honorable

84. Admirable

85. Loner

86. Sneaky

87. Adorable

88. Reserved

89. Curious

90. Witty

91. Lively

92. Good-natured

93. Foolish

94. Modest

95. Gullible

96. Conceited

97. Loving

98. Wicked

99. Charming

100. Impatient

101. Evil

Bonus-

  • Fun-loving
  • Bold
  • Forgetful
  • Wicked
  • Cheerful
  • Ugly
  • Mean
  • Cruel
  • Patient
  • Prejudiced
  • Talkative
  • Silly
  • Rebellious
  • Bully
  • Tough
  • Cunning
  • Easygoing
  • Humored
  • Pompous
  • Cheeky
  • Vindictive
  • Fickle
  • Insecure

Know more character traits examples here

Neel Rana

About the Author- Neel Rana is a young adult fiction writer and children’s book author. He is a literary enthusiast and the founder of Pandora Post. Neel holds a degree in BA Honors in English Literature and has been writing since 2017. His magnum opus YA short storybook, “The Drunken Ghost” has been well received by the readers.