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
Though its wrestlers have long histories in other pro leagues (Atomic Banshee, whose real name is Ram Kaicho, has been wrestling for 20 years, for instance), each of their Sukeban personas is exclusive to the league, conceptualized by Le-Tan based on their personalities and fighting styles.
—
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
There are some writers who can’t do anything other than write with a character that is some version of their own persona—Hemingway would be an obvious example of that—and then other writers who hate doing that.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025
Behind the public persona of funk pioneer and cultural icon, the man himself remained largely private, rarely granting access to his life or thoughts.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2025
Foley wrestled under his name and the personas of Cactus Jack, Dude Love and Mankind.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persona
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Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
There are some writers who can’t do anything other than write with a character that is some version of their own persona—Hemingway would be an obvious example of that—and then other writers who hate doing that.
—Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025
Behind the public persona of funk pioneer and cultural icon, the man himself remained largely private, rarely granting access to his life or thoughts.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2025
Foley wrestled under his name and the personas of Cactus Jack, Dude Love and Mankind.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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