persona

[per-soh-nuh]

noun

plural

personae, personas 

1. a person.

2. personae, the characters in a play, novel, etc.

3. the narrator of or a character in a literary work, sometimes identified with the author.

4. (in the psychology of C. G. Jung) the mask or façade presented to satisfy the demands of the situation or the environment and not representing the inner personality of the individual; the public personality (anima ).

5. a person's perceived or evident personality, as that of a well-known official, actor, or celebrity; personal image; public role.

persona

/ pɜːˈsəʊnə /

noun

1. (often plural) a character in a play, novel, etc

2. an assumed identity or character

3. (in Jungian psychology) the mechanism that conceals a person's true thoughts and feelings, esp in his adaptation to the outside world

Word History and Origins

Origin of persona¹

First recorded in 1905–10, persona is from the Latin word persōna mask, character. See person

Word History and Origins

Origin of persona¹

Latin: mask

Example Sentences

Wrestlers, when in character of their ring personas, refer to those involved in the scripted matches as “workers.”

From Los Angeles Times

The natural choice here would be “The Man,” another song wherein Swift adopts a masculine persona to prove just what a boss she is.

From Los Angeles Times

So much of Calloway’s persona rested on her brilliant ideas tempered by charming ineptitude, her devil-may-care approach to her own fame.

From Los Angeles Times

“He plays himself, shedding even the persona he adopted for TV talk shows,” Jaglom told The Times of Welles’ acting style in the film.

From Los Angeles Times

He was a fashion icon among Assam's youth and built a larger-than-life persona with his sartorial choices, which included trendy sunglasses and ripped jeans.

From BBC

Related Words

• character 
• identity 
• personality 

When To Use

What does persona mean?

A persona is the image or personality that a person presents in public or in a specific setting—as opposed to their true self.The word is especially used in the phrase public persona, referring to the personality that a person presents in public and that they are known for by most people. The term is usually used in reference to public figures, such as politicians and celebrities, to contrast with “what they’re really like.”For example, someone’s public persona might be outgoing and social, while their true personality is shy and reserved. Of course, it’s also possible that someone’s public persona matches their true personality.In psychology, the word persona refers to the identity that a person takes on to adapt to the outside world or to a certain situation—their “mask” or facade.In literature, persona refers to a character in a story, especially the narrator.Much less commonly, persona can simply refer to a person. The Latin term persona appears in the phrase persona non grata, referring to a person who is not welcome.The correct plural of persona can be personas or personae. (The plural ending -ae is used in other formal plurals of Latin-derived words, such as antennae—the plural of antenna.)Example: In public, Ahmad’s persona is that of a confident leader, but in private he’s timid and kind of insecure.