personify

1 of 2

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī How to pronounce personify (audio)
personified; personifying
Synonyms of personify

transitive verb

1
: to conceive of or represent as a person or as having human qualities or powers
2
: to be the embodiment or personification of : incarnate
a teacher who personified patience
personifier
pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce personify (audio)
noun

personifier

2 of 2

noun

per·​son·​i·​fi·​er pə(r)ˈsänəˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce personifier (audio)
-īə
plural -s
: one that personifies

Synonyms of personify

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Verb

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Examples of personify in a Sentence

Verb The ancient Greeks personified the forces of nature as gods and goddesses. Justice is personified as a woman with her eyes covered.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
The Princess of Wales looks like sunshine personified. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 17 June 2026 The agents personify a government that desperately fears how the public will react to intel about our decades-long interactions with other species that have kept under lock and key. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 June 2026 No place personifies this quirky little beach town better than The Red Bar, a bohemian hangout swathed in scarlet lights that’s known for its crab cakes and in-house jazz band. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 June 2026 Through her, Maddy personified a new kind of Latina baddie — one who defied constraints, and carried herself with a confidence that asked the rest of the world to meet her on her terms. — Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for personify

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of personify was in 1728

Rhymes for personify

See All Rhymes for personify

Browse Nearby Words

personifier
personify
personize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Personify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personify. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

personify

verb
per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsän-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce personify (audio)
personified; personifying
1
: to think of or represent as a person
personify the forces of nature
2
: to be the perfect example of
she personified kindness

More from Merriam-Webster on personify

Nglish: Translation of personify for Spanish Speakers

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