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

All this was built on a self-deprecating stand-up persona that made hay of middle-aged masculinity. — Alison Herman, Variety, 30 June 2026

After Nijinsky began to show signs of schizophrenia, this mask, or persona, grew disturbed. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Willis was the lead singer, and when all the performers took on stereotypically masculine personas, he became known for playing the cop. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 1 July 2026

Tish, for example, is — despite her valley girl persona — super-smart and has an eidetic memory. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 27 June 2026

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

Rhymes for persona

• annona
• bellona
• cardona
• cinchona
• kimono
• ramona
• belladonna
• desdemona
• bona
• dona
• jonah
• krona

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