What does personify mean?
Personify means to present something as a person or to give it human qualities such as emotions, intentions, speech, or behavior. Writers frequently use the verb to make abstract ideas, objects, landscapes, or natural forces seem vivid and psychologically compelling: a storm may be personified as angry, a corporation as a predator, or a city as a living thing. In a more specific sense, personify means to embody or represent a person or role. The word is especially associated with literature, rhetoric, and artistic analysis, where describing nonhuman things in human terms creates imagery and emotional resonance. It differs from impersonate, which concerns representing an actual person rather than treating a nonhuman entity as human. Personification is also related to the broader literary technique known as anthropomorphism, which gives human characteristics to animals, objects, or supernatural beings.
To represent something nonhuman as a person or as possessing human qualities, emotions, or behavior.
"The poem personifies the wind as a restless traveler."
Used especially in literature and rhetoric; the subject being personified is normally nonhuman.
To embody or represent a person, character, or ideal.
"The dancer personifies a century of artistic rebellion."
Less common than the literary sense and often used in the arts.
Personification turns objects, ideas, and forces of nature into characters, giving language the human drama that makes writing vivid.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does personify come from?
Personify was formed in the early 19th century from person and the suffix -ify, meaning “to make into” or “to render as.” Its elements reflect the same historical roots as person, personal, and personality. The verb developed in the context of literary and rhetorical description, where nonhuman subjects could be represented as human beings.
Related word forms
How personify is actually used
Common in literature, rhetoric, criticism, and creative writing. It is often used metaphorically for institutions, objects, abstract ideas, or natural forces, and can carry an artistic or critical connotation.
Easily confused with personify
Personify gives a nonhuman entity human qualities, whereas impersonate means to represent or pretend to be an actual person.