anthropomorphism

noun

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phism ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfi-zəm 

: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics : humanization

Children's stories have a long tradition of anthropomorphism.

anthropomorphist

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fist 

noun

Examples of anthropomorphism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As nature literature proliferated, the nature fakers debate—over anthropomorphism in fiction and nature writing—considered how the natural world should be portrayed in literature: should writers impose human qualities and virtues onto animals? —Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025

But one of the most powerful forces that causes people to support conservation is anthropomorphism — the tendency to see animals as similar to humans. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 June 2025

In fact, university participants rated swearing robots as the most socially close and most humorous, and rated non-expletive and expletive robot reactions equivalent on social warmth, competence, discomfort, anthropomorphism, and likability scales. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 June 2025

Moderate anthropomorphism, as seen in Khanmigo’s simple design, builds trust without unease. —Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek anthrōpómorphos "having human form" + -ism — more at anthropomorphic

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anthropomorphism

• automorphism
• homomorphism
• isomorphism
• metamorphism
• dimorphism
• dwarfism
• homeomorphism

Medical Definition

anthropomorphism

noun

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phism ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-ˌfiz-əm 

: an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics compare theriomorphism

anthropomorphic

-fik 

adjective

anthropomorphically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb