personality

noun

per·​son·​al·​i·​ty ˌpər-sə-ˈna-lə-tē 

ˌpər-ˈsna-

plural personalities

1

a

: the quality or state of being a person

b

: personal existence

2

a

: the condition or fact of relating to a particular person

specifically : the condition of referring directly to or being aimed disparagingly or hostilely at an individual

b

: an offensively personal remark

angrily resorted to personalities

3

a

: the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual or a nation or group

especially : the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics

b

: a set of distinctive traits and characteristics

the energetic personality of the city

4

a

: distinction or excellence of personal and social traits

also : a person having such quality

b

: a person of importance, prominence, renown, or notoriety

a TV personality

Synonyms

• celebrity
• star

Choose the Right Synonym for personality

disposition, temperament, temper, character, personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group.

disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

an artistic temperament

temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilient temper

character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

Examples of personality in a Sentence

He has a very pleasant personality.

We all have different personalities.

The psychiatrist considered behavior as well as personality before prescribing a treatment.

He has lots of personality.

He wants to buy a car that has personality.

She has met many television personalities.

He was an influential personality in genetic engineering.

Recent Examples on the Web

Professional Photo: Use a high-quality, professional headshot that reflects your personality—and make sure to smile. —Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

The impact on daily life Being able to communicate in real-time, with one's own voice and personality, is a game-changer for people living with paralysis. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

But French did not heed the calls, and several MAGA media personalities and politicians expressed their support for him. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025

The brand’s fan culture extends beyond the ring, with TikTok providing behind-the-scenes content showcasing fashion, beauty, personalities, storylines and action. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English personalite, from Anglo-French personalité, from Late Latin personalitat-, personalitas, from personalis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing personality

• antisocial personality disorder
• borderline personality disorder
• cult of personality
• multiple personality
• multiple personality disorder
• narcissistic personality disorder
• personality cult
• personality disorder
• personality inventory
• personality test
• psychopathic personality disorder
• schizoid personality
• schizoid personality disorder
• schizotypal personality
• schizotypal personality disorder
• split personality

Rhymes for personality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality

Kids Definition

personality

noun

per·​son·​al·​i·​ty ˌpərs-ᵊn-ˈal-ət-ē 

ˌpər-ˈsnal-

plural personalities

1

: the state of being a person

2

: the whole collection of individual emotions and behavior that make one person different from others : individuality

3

: an insulting mention of a person

use personalities in an argument

4

: pleasing qualities of character

has lots of personality

5

: a person who is well-known

a television personality

Medical Definition

personality

noun

per·​son·​al·​i·​ty ˌpərs-ᵊn-ˈal-ət-ē, ˌpər-ˈsnal- 

plural personalities

1

: the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual especially in relationships with others

2

a

: the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional tendencies

b

: the organization of the individual's distinguishing character traits, attitudes, or habits

Legal Definition

personality

noun

per·​son·​al·​i·​ty

plural personalities

1

: the quality, state, or fact of being a person

the corporation has legal personality

2

: the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics

a personality disorder