split personality

noun

1. multiple personality.

split personality

noun

1. the tendency to change rapidly in mood or temperament
2. a nontechnical term for multiple personality

Word History and Origins

Origin of split personality¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

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

The Captain is a split personality in other ways.

From Los Angeles Times

In grappling with her California split personality, Harris said she coined a term to describe herself: “Sangeleno,” a hybrid identifier combining San Francisco and Los Angeles that does not appear destined to catch on.

From Los Angeles Times

Because of the derivation of the term and because it literally meant "split," people decided schizophrenia meant split personality.

From Salon

The hall of mirrors, the split personality, the hidden life.

From New York Times

Related Words

• dissociative identity disorder