personification

American  

[per-son-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / pərˌsɒn ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.

2. the representation of a thing or abstraction in the form of a person, as in art.

3. the person or thing embodying a quality or the like; an embodiment or incarnation.

   He is the personification of tact.

4. an imaginary person or creature conceived or figured to represent a thing or abstraction.

5. the act of personifying; the attributing of human qualities to an animal, object, or abstraction.

   The author's personification of the farm animals made for an enchanting children's book.

6. a character portrayal or representation in a dramatic or literary work.

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personification British  

/ pɜːˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the attribution of human characteristics to things, abstract ideas, etc, as for literary or artistic effect

2. the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc, as in art and literature

3. a person or thing that personifies

4. a person or thing regarded as an embodiment of a quality

   he is the personification of optimism

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Other Word Forms

• nonpersonification noun
• personificator noun

Etymology

Origin of personification

First recorded in 1745–55; personi(fy) + -fication

Example Sentences

They felt similarly about Hello Kitty; with little identifying features or dialogue of their own, the characters were blank canvases for their own personification.

From Los Angeles Times

Her sharp cheekbones and arched eyebrows make her look like the personification of high fashion.

From Literature

Kelly is well-known among team-mates for being the personification of the modern Lionesses.

From BBC

His KC Tony Graham said Phoenix's family and friends were likely to regard Methven as the "personification of evil".

From BBC

“To have that personification . . . and her house was such a tribute to that too . . .”

From Salon