personify

[per-son-uh-fahy]

See more synonyms for personify on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), per·son·i·fied, per·son·i·fy·ing.

to attribute human nature or character to (an inanimate object or an abstraction), as in speech or writing.
to represent (a thing or abstraction) in the form of a person, as in art.
to embody (a quality, idea, etc.) in a real person or a concrete thing.

to be an embodiment or incarnation of; typify: He personifies the ruthless ambition of some executives.
to personate.

Origin of personify

1720–30; person + -ify; compare French personnifier, Italian personificare

Related formsper·son·i·fi·a·ble, adjectiveper·son·i·fi·ant, adjectiveper·son·i·fi·er, nounun·per·son·i·fied, adjectiveun·per·son·i·fy·ing, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for personify on Thesaurus.com

4. represent, exemplify, incorporate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for personifies

Contemporary Examples

Tel Aviv, to generalize but slightly, dislikes Netanyahu and fears the future he personifies.
Resigned To Loss, But Optimism On The Center-Left
Fania Oz-Salzberger
January 22, 2013
Ailes personifies Fox in a way that is true for few other corporate executives.
Why Roger Ailes Won't Walk Away
Howard Kurtz
October 19, 2012
And he personifies a rugged-yet-sophisticated masculinity that no longer exists.
The Hemingway Lesson
Marty Beckerman
July 5, 2011
It might help that Ive, like a younger, healthier Jobs, personifies coolness and creativity.
Is Steve Jobs Obsolete?
Alan Deutschman
June 8, 2009

Historical Examples

Mr. Falkland personifies the spirit of chivalry at its best and its worst.
Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle
H. N. Brailsford
The Hunt, as you may know, personifies our Omegan way of life.
The Status Civilization
Robert Sheckley
He thinks through his muscles; he personifies in his thought and his play.
Here and Now Story Book
Lucy Sprague Mitchell
We need only pause to note Chesterton personifies this dualism.
G. K. Chesterton, A Critical Study
Julius West
He personifies Destruction as a power who holds them in her chains.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistles of St. Peter
J. Rawson Lumby

British Dictionary definitions for personifies

personify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to attribute human characteristics to (a thing or abstraction)
to represent (an abstract quality) in human or animal form
(of a person or thing) to represent (an abstract quality), as in art or literature
to be the embodiment of

Derived Formspersonifiable, adjectivepersonifier, noun

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

Word Origin and History for personifies

personify

v.

1727 "to attribute personal form to things or abstractions" (especially as an artistic or literary technique), from person + -fy or from French personnifier (17c.), from personne. Meaning "to represent, embody" attested from 1806. Related: Personified; personifying.

personify

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Synonyms

Examples from the Web for personifies

Contemporary Examples

Tel Aviv, to generalize but slightly, dislikes Netanyahu and fears the future he personifies.

Ailes personifies Fox in a way that is true for few other corporate executives.

And he personifies a rugged-yet-sophisticated masculinity that no longer exists.

It might help that Ive, like a younger, healthier Jobs, personifies coolness and creativity.

Historical Examples

Mr. Falkland personifies the spirit of chivalry at its best and its worst.

The Hunt, as you may know, personifies our Omegan way of life.

He thinks through his muscles; he personifies in his thought and his play.

We need only pause to note Chesterton personifies this dualism.

He personifies Destruction as a power who holds them in her chains.

personify

Word Origin and History for personifies

personify

v.

Origin of personify