persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə 

-ˌnä

plural personae pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē 

-ˌnī

or personas

1

: a character assumed by an author in a written work

2

a

plural personas [New Latin, from Latin] : an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima

b

: 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

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 on the Web

For Lake, the occasion is a chance to further raise her visibility with Republican donors and to add to her national political persona. —Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 16 July 2024

Younger children will easily grasp the concepts of their own big feelings thanks to the funny, colorful personas for sadness, joy, and anger. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 16 July 2024

Richard Simmons, the fitness guru with a flamboyant, relentlessly positive persona, died Saturday (July 13) at his home in the Hollywood Hills. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 14 July 2024

By the season’s end, viewers learn of Agatha’s sorcerer identity and Maximoff entraps Agatha as her Westview persona Agnes. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing persona

• in propria persona
• persona grata
• persona non grata

Medical Definition

persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə, -ˌnä 

plural personas

: an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of C. G. Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima sense 1