personality

[ pur-suh-nal-i-tee ]

/ ˌpɜr səˈnæl ɪ ti /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR personality ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural per·son·al·i·ties.

the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others: He has a pleasing personality.

a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities: He is a curious personality.

Psychology.

the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.
the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual.

the quality of being a person; existence as a self-conscious human being; personal identity.

the essential character of a person.

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.

a famous, notable, or prominent person; celebrity.

application or reference to a particular person or particular persons, often in disparagement or hostility.

a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person: The political debate deteriorated into personalities.

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a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.

a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.

a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.

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Origin of personality

1350–1400; Middle English personalite (<Middle French ) <Late Latin persōnālitās.See personal, -ity

synonym study for personality

1. See character.

Words nearby personality

personal flotation device, personal foul, personalia, personal identification number, personalism, personality, personality cult, personality disorder, personality formation, personality inventory, personality profile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for personality

And, especially when it comes to the middle, personality counts.
Why This Liberal Hearts Huckabee|Sally Kohn|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“We won the war,” the Fox News personality proclaimed last week.
Why I’m for the War on Christmas|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Depending on what parts of the brain are impacted, the person can develop forms of dementia and personality changes.
Understanding Tracy Morgan’s Traumatic Brain Injury|Jean Kim|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That personality is not conducive to getting things done in Washington, at least not the Washington of today.
From POTUS to SCOTUS: Obama’s Big Move?|Keli Goff|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They may be the product of a strong personality, but they do not depend in any way on the cult of personality for their power.
Digging the Gold in Dylan’s ‘Basement’|Malcolm Jones|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are quick to discriminate the main lines and the distinguishing traits of personality.
Literature in the Elementary School|Porter Lander MacClintock
Circumstances and even accidents have their part to play, but in the main it is personality that determines the event.
The History of the Confederate War, Its Causes and Its Conduct, Volume I (of 2)|George Cary Eggleston
But there is no book to which a reader can turn for a fairly full account of his achievements, and an estimate of his personality.
The Life of Captain Matthew Flinders|Ernest Scott
The republic was possible with MacMahon, for after all he was a personality.
France and the Republic|William Henry Hurlbert
It is the personality of the mistress that the home expresses.
The House in Good Taste|Elsie de Wolfe

British Dictionary definitions for personality

personality

/ (ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

psychol the sum total of all the behavioural and mental characteristics by means of which an individual is recognized as being unique

the distinctive character of a person that makes him socially attractivea salesman needs a lot of personality

a well-known person in a certain field, such as sport or entertainment

a remarkable personthe old fellow is a real personality

the quality of being a unique person

the distinctive atmosphere of a place or situation

(often plural) a personal remark

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 personality

personality

[ pûr′sə-năl′ĭ-tē ]

n.

The quality or condition of being a person.

The totality of qualities and traits, as of character or behavior, that are peculiar to a specific person.

The pattern of collective character, behavioral, temperamental, emotional, and mental traits of a person.

Distinctive qualities of a person, especially those personal characteristics that make one socially appealing.

Cultural definitions for personality

personality

The pattern of feelings, thoughts, and activities that distinguishes one person from another.

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personality

noun, plural per·son·al·i·ties.

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Origin of personality

synonym study for personality

Words nearby personality

Example sentences from the Web for personality

British Dictionary definitions for personality

noun plural -ties

Medical definitions for personality

n.

Cultural definitions for personality

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

personality

noun, plural per·son·al·i·ties.

QUIZZES

IT’S A WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ BONANZA!

Origin of personality

synonym study for personality

Words nearby personality

Words related to personality

Example sentences from the Web for personality

British Dictionary definitions for personality

noun plural -ties

Medical definitions for personality

n.

Cultural definitions for personality