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Personification Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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personification

[pəˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən ]

Definition

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.

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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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Many famous writers, like William Wordsworth and Robert Frost, used this technique to make nature feel alive in their poems.
  • In children's stories, animals and objects are frequently given human characteristics to teach morals and make lessons relatable.

Pop Culture

  • Animated films often personify animals and inanimate objects, making them relatable and engaging for viewers.
  • Brands sometimes use personification in advertising, like a talking car or a happy mountain, to connect emotionally with consumers.

Psychology

  • People naturally personify objects as a way to cope with emotions, like seeing a comforting stuffed animal as a friend.
  • Personification can enhance empathy by encouraging people to see the world from different perspectives, including animals and nature.

Art

  • Artists often use personification in visual arts, depicting rivers as female figures or mountains with human-like features to convey feelings.
  • Greek and Roman sculptures frequently represented natural phenomena as human-like gods or goddesses, demonstrating the interplay of human and natural attributes.

Origin of 'personification'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'personificare', which means 'to make a person of'.
  • The concept dates back to ancient civilizations, where natural elements were often depicted as gods with human-like traits.

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.