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 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

The lip, however, was a notable switch-up for Swift, who, for most of her career, has made the statement-making makeup feature part of her persona. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

The Ranger debuted at this year's Düsseldorf Caravan Salon to add a whole new persona to the Lume fllet. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

Gabe goes the extra mile and makes a mirror with a replica of his drag persona, Blu Romantic, hiding behind it, and cracking the mirror open gives Nigella an existential crisis. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Sparring with journalists has been central to Trump’s public persona since before announcing his candidacy for the White House in 2015. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 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