Personify Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
👤
personify
[pəˈsɒnɪfaɪ ]
Definitions
in literature
To attribute human characteristics or behavior to a non-human entity.
Synonyms
embodiment, humanize, personalize.
Examples of usage
- The author personified the wind in her poem, giving it the ability to whisper secrets.
- The artist personified the sun, painting it with a smiling face.
in advertising
To represent a brand or product in a way that gives it human-like qualities.
Synonyms
animate, characterize, incarnate.
Examples of usage
- The company decided to personify their new phone as a helpful assistant, making it more relatable to consumers.
- The mascot personified the snack as a fun and friendly companion.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- Many authors use this technique to create relatable characters, such as in children's stories where animals talk and think like humans.
- Classic works, like those by Aesop or Orwell, often showcase this by making animals express human virtues and flaws.
Psychology
- This act can help people relate better to abstract concepts, like love or death, making them feel more tangible and understandable.
- By attributing human qualities to inanimate objects, individuals can often articulate their feelings about those objects in a clearer way.
Pop Culture
- Disney films often personify animals and natural elements, helping convey moral lessons in an engaging way, as seen in movies like 'Zootopia' and 'Frozen'.
- Animated series regularly use this literary device, with characters like talking cars in 'Cars' or household objects in 'Toy Story'.
Art
- Throughout history, artists have personified nature, depicting rivers and mountains with human-like expressions to convey emotions.
- Surrealist art often uses personification to challenge the viewer's perception of reality, encouraging deeper contemplation on human experiences.
Origin of 'personify'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'persona', which refers to mask or character, highlighting the idea of giving a face to something that doesn't have one.
- Originally, it appeared in English in the 16th century, connecting literature with the human traits attributed to non-human elements.
The word 'personify' originated from the Latin word 'persona' which means 'mask' or 'character'. It first appeared in English in the 18th century. The concept of personification has been used in various forms of art and literature throughout history to make abstract ideas or inanimate objects more relatable by giving them human attributes.
See also: depersonalization, depersonalize, depersonalizing, impersonate, impersonation, impersonator, nonperson, people, personable, personage, personages, personal, personalities, personality, personalizer, personally, personification, personified, personifying, personnel, persons.