personality

American  

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

noun

plural

personalities

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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Related Words

See character.

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

Example Sentences

Jenny Voisard, media and website manager for Friends of Big Bear Valley, chalks it up partly to Jackie’s and Shadow’s highly individual personalities.

From Los Angeles Times

The TV personality, also a political contributor for CNN, was present for Monday’s episode of “The View” where she and her co-panelists reacted to Bad Bunny’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LX on Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times

The emotions are not complex here, but they are heartfelt, thanks to how McLaughlin and Union conjure up larger-than-life personalities via their voice performances.

From Los Angeles Times

James Beard, a pioneer foodie and cooking teacher, brought some personality as a host for NBC’s first cooking show in 1946.

From The Wall Street Journal

Financial stocks fall, as Wall Street’s ‘schizophrenic personality’ on artificial intelligence stalls momentum.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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