personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī 

personified; personifying

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 

noun

Synonyms

• body
• embody
• epitomize
• express
• externalize
• incarnate
• incorporate
• instantiate
• manifest
• materialize
• personalize
• substantiate

Examples of personify in a Sentence

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

Although De Niro comes from a privileged bohemian background, his film roles personified working-class essence and vernacular. —Armond White, National Review, 5 June 2024

Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel’s aesthetic is west coast personified with a color palette of cream and beige married with edgy lamps and sculptures and dominant wood accents. —Indya Brown, Essence, 5 June 2024

Allison personifies South Carolina with all the steamy, sweaty heat of an actual human body. —Kristen Arnett, TIME, 4 June 2024

After this, Anitta will take the production to South America and Europe to personify the sweaty favela funk dance parties of her home country for the enjoyment of any and every willing participant. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsän-ə-ˌfī 

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