personality

[ pur-suh-nal-i-tee ]

noun

, plural per·son·al·i·ties.

1. the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others:

   He has a pleasing personality.

2. a person as an embodiment of a collection of qualities:

   He is a curious personality.

3. Psychology.
   1. the sum total of the physical, mental, emotional, and social characteristics of an individual.
   2. the organized pattern of behavioral characteristics of the individual.
4. the quality of being a person; existence as a self-conscious human being; personal identity.
5. the essential character of a person.
6. something apprehended as reflective of or analogous to a distinctive human personality, as the atmosphere of a place or thing:

   This house has a warm personality.

7. a famous, notable, or prominent person; celebrity.
8. application or reference to a particular person or particular persons, often in disparagement or hostility.
9. a disparaging or offensive statement referring to a particular person:

   The political debate deteriorated into personalities.

personality

/ ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

1. psychol the sum total of all the behavioural and mental characteristics by means of which an individual is recognized as being unique
2. the distinctive character of a person that makes him socially attractive

   a salesman needs a lot of personality

3. a well-known person in a certain field, such as sport or entertainment
4. a remarkable person

   the old fellow is a real personality

5. the quality of being a unique person
6. the distinctive atmosphere of a place or situation
7. often plural a personal remark

personality

1. The pattern of feelings, thoughts, and activities that distinguishes one person from another.

Word History and Origins

Origin of personality¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English personalite, from Middle French, from Late Latin persōnālitās, from Latin persōnāl(is) personal + -itās -ity

Synonym Study

See character.

Example Sentences

Hegseth, a Fox personality who served in Iraq with the Army National Guard, was involved in successfully lobbying Trump during his first term to intervene in the cases of three members of the armed services who had been convicted or accused of committing war crimes.

From Slate

For some, that brand of fealty is in line with Trump’s choice for his secretary of Defense: conservative Fox News personality and military combat veteran Pete Hegseth.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a hint of the sternness of the ideas that became his hallmark, if not his personality, which his friends described as gentle.

From Salon

The TV personality and BBC Radio 2 presenter is taking part in a five-day ultra-endurance challenge where he is cycling 300 miles from Wrexham in Wales to the finish line in Glasgow.

From BBC

Created by Ben Watkins, the series is solidly made and stylistically straightforward but does suffer a bit from its split personality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charisma
• charm
• identity
• makeup
• nature
• psyche
• self
• temper
• temperament