personality
Americannoun
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personalities
plural
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the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others.
He has a pleasing personality.
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a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities.
He is a curious personality.
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Psychology.
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the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.
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the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual.
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the quality of being a person; existence as a self-conscious human being; personal identity.
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the essential character of a person.
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something apprehended as reflective of or analogous to a distinctive human personality, as the atmosphere of a place or thing.
This house has a warm personality.
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a famous, notable, or prominent person; celebrity.
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application or reference to a particular person or particular persons, often in disparagement or hostility.
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a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person.
The political debate deteriorated into personalities.
noun
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psychol the sum total of all the behavioural and mental characteristics by means of which an individual is recognized as being unique
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the distinctive character of a person that makes him socially attractive
a salesman needs a lot of personality
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a well-known person in a certain field, such as sport or entertainment
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a remarkable person
the old fellow is a real personality
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the quality of being a unique person
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the distinctive atmosphere of a place or situation
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(often plural) a personal remark
Synonym Usage
See character.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of personality
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English personalite, from Middle French, from Late Latin persōnālitās, from Latin persōnāl(is) personal + -itās -ity
Explanation
Your personality is what makes you "you" — the combination of characteristics that make you unique. Despite sharing some of the same genes, your siblings may have different personalities from you. You may be outgoing and upbeat, your sister may be quiet and reserved, and your brother may be a perennial pessimist. A personality can also refer to someone who is well known in a certain field — such as a sports or television personality.
Vocabulary lists containing personality
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Psychology
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Moynihan isn’t generally considered an eloquent speaker or known for a flashy personality on par with other big bank executives, particularly JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
What doesn’t change is our impulse to explain complicated social and economic changes by assigning a personality to an entire generation.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
Dr. Oz came into the fold, Winfrey said, by way of introduction from her best friend, fellow television personality and news anchor Gayle King.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Katie Miller is an influential conservative podcaster, media personality and former Trump staffer.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Without copying anyone else, she had invented her own curious personality, which I envied even more than her artistic ability.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Return-to-office mandates also have hiring managers more focused on candidates’ personalities.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Mourinho's methods have traditionally relied on establishing strong relationships with key personalities and demanding total commitment.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
There’s also so many big personalities on the show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
The Whatnot auctions are events—sellers are personalities who fire up bids, chats buzz with hundreds of buyers, and the animating pressure is often the same: bid now or lose out.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
I quizzed him on various personalities, all of whom he seemed to know, and later in Port Elizabeth I confirmed that he was telling me the truth.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
