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Personification: meaning, definitions and examples

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personification

 

[ pəˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

literature

Personification is a figure of speech in which human characteristics are attributed to non-human things. It is often used to make descriptions more vivid and engaging.

Synonyms

anthropomorphism, embodiment, incarnation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personification

Used when describing giving human traits to non-human things, often in literature and art.

  • The wind was a howling beast, tearing through the trees.
anthropomorphism

Primarily used in literature, art, and mythology when animals, gods, or objects are given human characteristics or behaviors.

  • In the fable, the fox talks to the crow.
embodiment

Describes the representation of an idea or quality in a tangible form.

  • She is the embodiment of kindness.
incarnation

Often used in religious or spiritual contexts to describe the physical form of a deity or spirit, or more generally to indicate a person or thing embodying a certain quality or condition.

  • In Christianity, Jesus Christ is regarded as the incarnation of God.

Examples of usage

  • Nature welcomed me with open arms.
  • The wind whispered secrets in my ear.
  • The sun smiled down on us.
  • The flowers danced in the breeze.
  • The trees reached out to touch the sky.

Translations

Translations of the word "personification" in other languages:

🇵🇹 personificação

🇮🇳 मानवीकरण

🇩🇪 Personifikation

🇮🇩 personifikasi

🇺🇦 персоніфікація

🇵🇱 personifikacja

🇯🇵 擬人化 (ぎじんか)

🇫🇷 personnification

🇪🇸 personificación

🇹🇷 kişileştirme

🇰🇷 의인화 (uiinhwa)

🇸🇦 تجسيد (tajsid)

🇨🇿 personifikace

🇸🇰 personifikácia

🇨🇳 拟人化 (nǐrénhuà)

🇸🇮 poosebljenje

🇮🇸 persónugerving

🇰🇿 тұлғаландыру

🇬🇪 პერსონიფიკაცია

🇦🇿 şəxsiyyətləşdirmə

🇲🇽 personificación

Etymology

The term 'personification' originated from the Latin word 'persona', which means 'mask' or 'character'. Personification has been used in literature for centuries to bring life to inanimate objects and abstract concepts, dating back to ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Writers and poets have continued to use personification as a literary device to create vivid imagery and emotional connections with readers.

See also: depersonalization, depersonalize, depersonalizing, impersonate, impersonation, impersonator, nonperson, people, personable, personage, personages, personal, personalities, personality, personalizer, personally, personified, personify, personifying, personnel, persons.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,101, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.