personify

[per-son-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

personified, personifying 

1. to attribute human nature or character to (an inanimate object or an abstraction), as in speech or writing.

2. to represent (a thing or abstraction) in the form of a person, as in art.

3. to embody (a quality, idea, etc.) in a real person or a concrete thing.

4. to be an embodiment or incarnation of; typify.

   He personifies the ruthless ambition of some executives.

   The vicar's wife was grace and beauty personified.

   Synonyms: incorporate, exemplify, represent

5. to personate.

personify

/ pɜːˈsɒnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to attribute human characteristics to (a thing or abstraction)

2. to represent (an abstract quality) in human or animal form

3. (of a person or thing) to represent (an abstract quality), as in art or literature

4. to be the embodiment of

Other Word Forms

• personifiable adjective
• personifiant adjective
• personifier noun
• unpersonifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of personify¹

First recorded in 1720–30; person + -ify; compare French personnifier, Italian personificare

Example Sentences

The last word went to Mohammed Siraj, who personified the unbreakable spirit and never-say-die attitude of a young India team.

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As a personified disaster with a human name and a week-long arc, it remains famous, or infamous, and indelible.

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Senior voices in government counter that Starmer and Reeves personify the modern Labour Party in government.

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But in some ways he personifies the late pontiff's legacy in his country.

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Willie is normally coolness personified, the even-tempered master of jump racing.

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Related Words

• act out 
• embody 
• epitomize 
• exemplify 
• illustrate 
• incarnate 
• manifest 
• symbolize 
• typify