persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə How to pronounce persona (audio)
-ˌnä
plural personae pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce persona (audio)
-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
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These distinct personas or bots interact with customers in fun, human-like ways. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 This is not the voice of either a character or a narrative persona. Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 The themes might verge into oversharing for some, but it’s always been a part of her persona, and the upshot is about confronting, accepting and/or resolving one’s own messiness and starting over (hence the title). Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 June 2025 Advertisement Hargitay, who would build her own career as an actor on TV’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, never felt comfortable with either her mother’s persona or her life choices. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for persona

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of persona was in 1732

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Cite this Entry

“Persona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persona. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

persona

noun
per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə, -ˌnä How to pronounce persona (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on persona

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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