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

Until recently, the brash persona and policies—both domestic and foreign—that seemed to conflict with GOP norms set the president apart from his party predecessors. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

The character name was changed to Sunny for the film, but not the persona. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026

The character name was changed to Sonny for the film, but not the persona. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

Her onstage persona is reminiscent of a battering ram — plainspoken, combative, and staccato. —Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 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