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:
That’s a lot of personality on one side of the court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
But given that he had already displayed signs of an erratic and hostile personality before arriving in the Senate, his change feels of a piece with his past behavior.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
Other indicted co-conspirators included Jorge Cuellar, 30, another popular online sneaker reseller and social media personality known as “horehead_sales.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Wakeley and Chambers both say that you don't need to lose your personal style when dressing for the office and you can still inject plenty of personality while following a dress code.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Second, the quotation above gives a true flavour of Galileo’s style and personality.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
He was the latest in a series of internet personalities targeted in Mexico, dramatizing the potential dangers of social media presence and commentary.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
She thinks this may have been due to budget constraints, but missed the islanders going on exciting dates and taking part in "fun activities or games" where you see their personalities more.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
Outside of sports, SiriusXM is well known for its curated music channels, like Pitbull’s Globalization and The Kelly Clarkson Connection, and talk shows hosted by on-air personalities Howard Stern and Andy Cohen.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
"It seems unlikely because we're from different cultures and with different ages. But in terms of personalities, we're quite similar. We're all basically crazy."
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Call it a miracle, an accident, or a case of two powerful personalities willing themselves to expire on schedule and according to script.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
