personification

[ per-son-uh-fi-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects, or abstract notions, especially as a rhetorical figure.
2. the representation of a thing or abstraction in the form of a person, as in art.
3. the person or thing embodying a quality or the like; an embodiment or incarnation:

   He is the personification of tact.

4. an imaginary person or creature conceived or figured to represent a thing or abstraction.
5. the act of personifying; the attributing of human qualities to an animal, object, or abstraction:

   The author's personification of the farm animals made for an enchanting children's book.

6. a character portrayal or representation in a dramatic or literary work.

personification

/ pɜːˌsɒnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the attribution of human characteristics to things, abstract ideas, etc, as for literary or artistic effect
2. the representation of an abstract quality or idea in the form of a person, creature, etc, as in art and literature
3. a person or thing that personifies
4. a person or thing regarded as an embodiment of a quality

   he is the personification of optimism

Other Words From

• per·soni·fi·cator noun
• nonper·soni·fi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of personification¹

First recorded in 1745–55; personi(fy) + -fication

Example Sentences

The personification of the state and its utilization as a means of selective punishment is precisely what America’s founding fathers fought against.

From Salon

When the personification of Mandrex asks her why she’s allowing him to make a film about the end of her life, Maria tells him that she wants an aria as part of her third act.

From Salon

He is the personification of a nation under siege, in a deadly conflict that pits - albeit indirectly – the values, instincts and interests of western democracies against Russia.

From BBC

To the public, he is the chiseled personification of national virtue.

From New York Times

Until that time, Britannia — the personification of Britain — had been the only character on the bills.

From New York Times