Definition of persona
personae
play \pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē, -ˌnī\ orpersonas
1 : a character assumed by an author in a written work
2a plural personas [New Latin, from Latin] : an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing — compare animab : the personality that a person (such as an actor or politician) projects in public : image
3 plural personae : a character in a fictional presentation (such as a novel or play) —usually used in plural comic personae
From the M-W Editors
Examples of persona in a Sentence
His public persona is that of a strong, determined leader, but in private life he's very insecure.
The band takes on a whole new persona when they perform live.
Recent Examples of persona from the Web
-
Yet the Polish composer had a way of absorbing all influences into a musical persona very much his own.
-
Eschert and her attorney, Meg Maloney, said the city created a fake internet persona to complain about the post to discredit Eschert.
-
Research also played a part in Anzaldo perfecting the Sinatra persona.
-
Her Comedy Central show The Sarah Silverman Program (which aired from 2007 to 2010) played on her somewhat child-like onstage persona and subverted it.
-
Twiztid hadlines at Ace of Spades Twiztid, a rap rock group from Detroit, performs at Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. Twiztid is composed of Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric, who perform under the respective personas of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide.
-
The model for all of these women is, of course, Gwyneth Paltrow, an icon of consumerist feminism who embodies what has come to be the holy trinity of celebrity personas: mother, healthful-living expert, entrepreneur.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persona'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of persona
Latin
First Known Use: 1732
Other Psychology Terms
PERSONA Defined for English Language Learners
persona
playDefinition of persona for English Language Learners
-
: the way you behave, talk, etc., with other people that causes them to see you as a particular kind of person : the image or personality that a person presents to other people
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about persona
-
See words that rhyme with persona Spanish Central: Translation of persona Nglish: Translation of persona for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of persona for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about persona
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up persona? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!