personality

American  

[pur-suh-nal-i-tee] / ˌpɜr səˈnæl ɪ ti /

noun

personalities plural

1. the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others.

   He has a pleasing personality.

2. a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities.

   He is a curious personality.

3. Psychology.

   1. the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.

   2. the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual.

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

5. the essential character of a person.

6. 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.

7. a famous, notable, or prominent person; celebrity.

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

9. a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person.

   The political debate deteriorated into personalities.

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personality British  

/ ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

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

2. the distinctive character of a person that makes him socially attractive

   a salesman needs a lot of personality

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

4. a remarkable person

   the old fellow is a real personality

5. the quality of being a unique person

6. the distinctive atmosphere of a place or situation

7. (often plural) a personal remark

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personality Cultural  

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

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Synonym Usage

See character.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• personalities
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

After her death, the nine-year-old's family paid tribute to her "lively and bubbly" personality.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

There’s rich irony in the personality contrast between the cousins.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

Since Niyazov's death in 2006, successive presidents -- Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and his son Serdar -- have kept the system in place, along with the cults of personality and grand architecture.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

“The Breakfast Club,” originating from New York’s Power 105.1 FM and co-hosted by fellow radio personality DJ Envy and comedian Jess Hilarious, is the top hip-hop and R&B morning show in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Earth was the solid ground, yet vaguely a personality, too.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• charisma
• charm
• identity
• makeup
• nature
• psyche
• self
• temper
• temperament