split personality
Americannoun
noun
-
the tendency to change rapidly in mood or temperament
-
a nontechnical term for multiple personality
Etymology
Origin of split personality
First recorded in 1925–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The film's split personality is a problem because it wants to be original, and it ends up being overly familiar.
From Salon
In it, the infamous Norman Bates of the Bates Motel develops a split personality after killing his controlling mom and her lover out of jealousy.
From Seattle Times
Golden State developed a split personality as it proceeded in fits and starts, displaying the pride and potency that marked its dynasty years and a baffling new alter ego that seemed scattered and, frankly, mediocre.
From Washington Post
Over the course of our conversation, Bing revealed a kind of split personality.
From New York Times
"Many people here have a kind of schizophrenia or split personality," explains Mr Buntman.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
