anthropomorphism

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

anthropomorphist

2 of 2

noun (2)

an·​thro·​po·​mor·​phist ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈmȯr-fist 

plural -s

: a believer in anthropomorphism

anthropomorphistic

¦an(t)-thrə-pə-¦mȯr-fi-stik

adjective

Examples of anthropomorphism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This anthropomorphism is by no means limited to the document. — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026

For Bennett, Darwin’s study is an example of how anthropomorphism, which initially seems to be about us, can actually be a catalyst for seeing something beyond ourselves. — Jenny Odell, Longreads, 2 June 2026

The test was designed around us, and suffers from both anthropocentrism (treating humans as the yardstick) and anthropomorphism (projecting human traits onto other animals). — Federica Sgorbissa, ArsTechnica, 24 May 2026

Part of that is anthropomorphism, the urge to map our own feelings onto animals. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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