personify [per-son -uh -fahy]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
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. Show More
Origin of personify 1720–30; person +
-ify ; compare
French personnifier, Italian personificare Related forms per·son·i·fi·a·ble , adjective per·son·i·fi·ant , adjective per·son·i·fi·er , noun un·per·son·i·fied , adjective un·per·son·i·fy·ing , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for personifies exemplify ,
incarnate ,
manifest ,
typify ,
epitomize ,
embody ,
symbolize ,
illustrate ,
materialize ,
copy ,
exteriorize ,
imitate ,
substantiate ,
image ,
express ,
externalize ,
humanize ,
impersonate ,
mirror ,
objectify Examples from the Web for personifies Contemporary Examples of personifies 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 of personifies 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.
British Dictionary definitions for personifies 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 Show More
Derived Forms personifiable , adjective personifier , 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 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 .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
