physiognomy

noun

phys·​i·​og·​no·​my ˌfi-zē-ˈä(g)-nə-mē 

plural physiognomies

1

: the art of discovering temperament and character from outward appearance

2

: the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by their configuration or expression

3

: external aspect

also : inner character or quality revealed outwardly

Examples of physiognomy in a Sentence

He and his son have the same distinctive physiognomy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Our physiognomy, including individual asymmetries, our expressions (macro and micro), the qualities of our complexion, all encode valuable information about age, our mental and physical health, our lived experience and personality. —Valerie Monroe, Allure, 15 Jan. 2026

Both men’s physiognomy can lean similarly to the lugubrious. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2025

From the start, Sander spurned ostensibly timeless archetypes in favor of timely examples of individuals who revealed the physiognomy of the present. —Noam M. Elcott, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025

Such methods are considered unreliable, in particular as they are often based on evidence sets from European children that don’t match the physiognomies of young people from other place in the world. —Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English phisonomie, from Anglo-French phisenomie, from Late Latin physiognomonia, physiognomia, from Greek physiognōmonia, from physiognōmōn judging character by the features, from physis nature, physique, appearance + gnōmōn interpreter — more at gnomon

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

physiognomy

noun

phys·​i·​og·​no·​my ˌfiz-ē-ˈä(g)-nə-mē 

plural physiognomies

: facial features or expression thought to reveal qualities of mind or character

Medical Definition

physiognomy

noun

phys·​i·​og·​no·​my ˌfiz-ē-ˈä(g)-nə-mē 

plural physiognomies

1

: the art of discovering temperament and character from outward appearance

2

: the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by their configuration or expression