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
Celebrating Halloween, the creepiest night on the calendar, might involve indulging in a bowl of candy for a full day or dressing up as quirky or famous characters that are far removed from your everyday work persona.
—
Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos mined a new interesting vein in the actor’s persona some years ago with the bizarre and highly symbolic dramas The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which utilized Farrell’s mostly untapped capabilities as a deadpan performer.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
One way is to ask survey questions of real people and these personas, and compare the responses.
—Adam Bai, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Tackling thematic and historic ties to identity, connecting the protagonist’s search for self to that of a reborn country figuring out its emerging political persona, leads to fertile ground for storytelling.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persona
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Gabriele Regalbuto, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos mined a new interesting vein in the actor’s persona some years ago with the bizarre and highly symbolic dramas The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which utilized Farrell’s mostly untapped capabilities as a deadpan performer.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
One way is to ask survey questions of real people and these personas, and compare the responses.
—Adam Bai, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Tackling thematic and historic ties to identity, connecting the protagonist’s search for self to that of a reborn country figuring out its emerging political persona, leads to fertile ground for storytelling.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persona
Cite this Entry
“Persona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persona. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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