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Personified Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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personified

per-son-i-fied

🇺🇸 /pɝˈsɑnəˌfaɪd/ · 🇬🇧 /pɜːsˈɒnɪfˌaɪd/

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

describing something

Attributed human traits or characteristics to something non-human.

Synonyms

anthropomorphized, embodied, incarnate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personified

Refers to giving human characteristics to something abstract or non-human, often used in literature and art.

  • In the poem, love is personified as a gentle, kind figure.
  • The character of Death is personified in many stories.
anthropomorphized

Specifically means giving human traits or behaviors to animals, gods, or objects, often in storytelling for children or folk tales.

  • The animals in the story were anthropomorphized, acting and talking like humans.
  • In some cultures, natural elements like the sun and moon are anthropomorphized as deities.
embodied

Describes giving a tangible or physical form to an idea, quality, or concept, often used in philosophy, art, and descriptions of people.

  • She embodied the spirit of perseverance.
  • The sculpture embodied the artist’s vision of freedom.
incarnate

Refers to a person or thing representing a particular quality or idea in a very clear or strong way, often used in religious or dramatic contexts.

  • He was kindness incarnate, always helping others.
  • Some people believe she is evil incarnate.

Examples of usage

  • Animals are often personified in children's literature.
  • The storm clouds seemed to be personified, with angry faces looking down at us.
Context #2 | Verb

literary usage

To represent a thing or abstraction in the form of a person.

Synonyms

embodied, incarnated, manifested.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personified

Best used when describing the representation of an abstract quality or idea in a human form. It often has a mythical or symbolic connotation.

  • She is kindness personified, always helping others without expecting anything in return.
  • In Greek mythology, Athena is wisdom personified.
embodied

Typically used to describe someone or something that gives a tangible or visible form to an idea, quality, or feeling. It can be more literal than 'personified'.

  • The teacher embodied patience, calmly explaining the topic multiple times to the students.
  • The statue embodied the spirit of freedom.
incarnated

Commonly used in religious or spiritual contexts to describe a deity or spirit taking on a physical, human form. It carries a sense of being made flesh.

  • Many Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnated.
  • The legend told of an ancient god who incarnated to save the world.
manifested

Used when something, often abstract like feelings or ideas, becomes clear or visible. It doesn’t necessarily have to take a human form.

  • Her anxiety manifested in constant nail-biting.
  • His leadership qualities manifested during the crisis.

Examples of usage

  • The author personified the wind as a mischievous child.
  • The concept of time was personified as an old man with a scythe.

Translations

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

Quick facts about “personified”

Personified is a 4-syllable adjective and verb (per-son-i-fied). It is pronounced /pɝˈsɑnəˌfaɪd/ in American English and /pɜːsˈɒnɪfˌaɪd/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #18,185 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“personified” in literature

  • In literature, personification is a common device used to animate nature; for example, saying 'the wind whispered secrets'.
  • Classic works like Aesop's Fables often personify animals to convey moral lessons effectively.
  • Modern children's literature frequently employs this technique, allowing young readers to connect emotionally with inanimate objects.

“personified” in psychology

  • Personification helps people relate to concepts and emotions, making complex ideas more understandable.
  • By personifying feelings (e.g., sadness wearing a grey cloak), it can assist in processing emotions in therapeutic settings.
  • Studies show that children often use personification during play, as it aids cognitive development by fostering creativity.

“personified” in pop culture

  • Popular animated films often personify animals and objects, like talking cars in 'Cars' or a friendly balloon in 'Up'.
  • Personified mascots, like the M&M characters, create memorable brand identities that resonate with consumers.
  • In social media, people frequently use personification as a humorous way to explain everyday frustrations, like 'my coffee is judging me today.'

“personified” in art

  • Visual artists frequently explore personification, embodying abstract concepts like love or justice in human form.
  • Sculptures depicting nature, such as rivers and mountains, often feature human-like qualities, which resonate with viewers.
  • The use of personified figures in painting allows artists to convey deep philosophical ideas about human existence.

Origin of 'personified'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'persona', which means 'mask' or 'character', highlighting how we give a face to concepts.
  • It entered the English language in the late 16th century, reflecting the growing interest in literature and storytelling.
  • The prefix 'per-' suggests thoroughness, emphasizing the complete attribution of human traits.

The word 'personified' comes from the combination of 'person' + 'fied,' with 'person' deriving from the Latin word 'persona' meaning 'mask, character.' The concept of personification has been used in literature and art for centuries to give human qualities to non-human entities, enhancing storytelling and communication.

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

Rhymes

Personified rhymes with bonafide.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,185, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.