Dictionary.com

anthropomorphism

[ an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm ]
/ ˌæn θrə pəˈmɔr fɪz əm /

noun

an anthropomorphic conception or representation, as of a deity.

QUIZZES

DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
owl
crow
piranha
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of anthropomorphism

First recorded in 1745–55; anthropo- + -morphism

OTHER WORDS FROM anthropomorphism

an·thro·po·mor·phist, noun

Words nearby anthropomorphism

anthropology, anthropometer, anthropometrics, anthropometry, anthropomorphic, anthropomorphism, anthropomorphize, anthropomorphosis, anthropomorphous, anthroponomy, anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for anthropomorphism

British Dictionary definitions for anthropomorphism

anthropomorphism
/ (ˌænθrəpəˈmɔːfɪzəm) /

noun

the attribution of human form or behaviour to a deity, animal, etc

Derived forms of anthropomorphism

anthropomorphist, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for anthropomorphism

anthropomorphism
[ ăn′thrə-pə-môr′fĭz′əm ]

n.

The attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to nonhuman organisms or inanimate objects.

Other words from anthropomorphism

an′thro•po•mor′phic adj.an′thro•po•mor′phi•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Cultural definitions for anthropomorphism

anthropomorphism
[ (an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm) ]

The attributing of human characteristics and purposes to inanimate objects, animals, plants, or other natural phenomena, or to God. To describe a rushing river as “angry” is to anthropomorphize it.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.