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

For instance, Lede handles both Rihanna’s artist representation and the singer’s Fenty and Savage x Fenty brands, spanning beauty, fashion and lingerie, ensuring her persona, product launches and campaigns are tightly integrated across PR, branding and impact messaging. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025

Lopez would dance during the day and take acting lessons at night, setting the stage for her do-it-all persona as a singer/dancer/actor/celebrity. —Elliott Smith, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025

But is my merciless game persona merely nurture, or does nature have something to do with it too? —Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025

Behind every political persona, there’s a human being. —Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing persona

• in propria persona
• persona grata
• persona non grata

Rhymes for persona

• annona
• bellona
• cardona
• cinchona
• kimono
• ramona
• belladonna
• desdemona
• bona
• dona
• jonah
• krona

Medical 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