personage

noun

per·​son·​age ˈpərs-nij How to pronounce personage (audio)
ˈpər-sə-nij
1
: a person of rank, note, or distinction
especially : one distinguished for presence and personal power
2
: a human individual : person
3
: a dramatic, fictional, or historical character
also : impersonation

Examples of personage in a Sentence

The premiere was attended by no less a personage than the president himself. these sci-fi conventions attract personages of every description
Recent Examples on the Web This is the episode that goes the deepest into the world of the virtual reality game — full of historical personages, epic puzzles and dehydrated bodies — and lays the stakes out for the real world as well. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 The sole other notable personage here is his sister (Therica Wilson-Read), presented as a waspish, back-stabbing type. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 This innovative jazz-age pianist, songwriter and Harlem bon vivant had skills as oversized as the 300-pound personage that stamped him with the nickname he is remembered by. Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 29 Jan. 2024 Known chiefly as a writer of Tartan noir, Mina is also the author of short, punchy novellas on historical personages. Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2023 One player takes the side of the suffragists, the other of their political opponents, playing cards themed around historical events and personages, from property rights to Sojourner Truth, to influence public opinion across the United States. James Palmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 The age disparity would also highlight how Dae-su’s years of solitary confinement have ravaged and twisted his whole personage. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2023 In one of Harmony’s goofier staging choices, Zien also slaps on a variety of wigs and costumes to play historical personages the Comedian Harmonists encounter along the way, including an Einstein get-up that makes that scientist’s appearance in Oppenheimer seem subtle and restrained. Vulture, 13 Nov. 2023 Are these mysterious people actors or nightmare personages? Karen Wilkin, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'personage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of personage was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near personage

Cite this Entry

“Personage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personage. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

personage

noun
per·​son·​age ˈpərs-nij How to pronounce personage (audio)
-ᵊn-ij
1
: an important or famous person
2
: a character in a book or play

More from Merriam-Webster on personage

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