personality
- 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.
Origin of personality
Synonym study
Related Words for personality
nature, self, makeup, psyche, charisma, charm, temperament, temper, identity, individuality, magnetism, complexion, disposition, singularity, emotions, dynamism, selfhood, selfdomExamples from the Web for personality
Contemporary Examples of personality
And, especially when it comes to the middle, personality counts.
“We won the war,” the Fox News personality proclaimed last week.
Depending on what parts of the brain are impacted, the person can develop forms of dementia and personality changes.
That personality is not conducive to getting things done in Washington, at least not the Washington of today.
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.
Historical Examples of personality
A new Dick appeared to him, a personality stronger, deeper than he could have imagined.
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
The book and the personality of Job have caused much controversy.
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part II]Benedict of Spinoza
By this means he gave to man an extended, a Titan personality.
De ProfundisOscar Wilde
Also he disliked Carter—seemed to associate his personality with that of Shandy's.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
She felt as if she were drawing the lilies so into herself that her own personality waned.
Quaint CourtshipsVarious
personality
- 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
Word Origin and History for personality
late 14c., "quality or fact of being a person," from Medieval Latin personalitatem (nominative personalitas), from Late Latin personalis (see personal). Sense of "a distinctive character" is first recorded 1795, from French personnalité.
Personality is the supreme realization of the innate idiosyncrasy of a living being. It is an act of courage flung in the face of life, the absolute affirmation of all that constitutes the individual, the most successful adaptation to the universal conditions of existence, coupled with the greatest possible freedom of self-determination. [C.G. Jung, 1875-1961]
Meaning "person whose character stands out from that of others" is from 1889. Personality cult is attested from 1956.
personality
(pûr′sə-năl′ĭ-tē)- 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.
personality
The pattern of feelings, thoughts, and activities that distinguishes one person from another.