personification

[per-son-uh-fi-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.

2. the representation of a thing or abstraction in the form of a person, as in art.

3. the person or thing embodying a quality or the like; an embodiment or incarnation.

   He is the personification of tact.

4. an imaginary person or creature conceived or figured to represent a thing or abstraction.

5. the act of personifying; the attributing of human qualities to an animal, object, or abstraction.

   The author's personification of the farm animals made for an enchanting children's book.

6. a character portrayal or representation in a dramatic or literary work.

personification

/ pɜːˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the attribution of human characteristics to things, abstract ideas, etc, as for literary or artistic effect

2. the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc, as in art and literature

3. a person or thing that personifies

4. a person or thing regarded as an embodiment of a quality

   he is the personification of optimism

Other Word Forms

• personificator noun
• nonpersonification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of personification¹

First recorded in 1745–55; personi(fy) + -fication

Example Sentences

Kelly is well-known among team-mates for being the personification of the modern Lionesses.

From BBC

His KC Tony Graham said Phoenix's family and friends were likely to regard Methven as the "personification of evil".

From BBC

Harris, he suggested, is the personification of that disconnect from Democratic tradition.

From Los Angeles Times

Palin was the personification of the Republican ideal, and for quite a while after that race, she was considered the front-runner to win the nomination in 2012.

From Salon

“To have that personification . . . and her house was such a tribute to that too . . .”

From Salon