definitions

personify

[ per-son-uh-fahy ]
/ pərˈsɒn əˌfaɪ /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

exemplify, incarnate, manifest, typify, epitomize, embody, symbolize, illustrate, materialize, copy, exteriorize, imitate, substantiate, image, express, externalize, humanize, impersonate, mirror, objectify

Nearby words

personally, personalty, personate, personhood, personification, personify, personned, personnel, personnel agency, personnel department, persorption

Origin of personify

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

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for personifies

British Dictionary definitions for personifies

personify

/ (pɜːˈsɒnɪˌfaɪ) /

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 Forms

personifiable, 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