personify

1 of 2

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī 

personified; personifying

transitive verb

1

: to conceive of or represent as a person or as having human qualities or powers

2

: to be the embodiment or personification of : incarnate

a teacher who personified patience

personifier

pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

personifier

2 of 2

noun

per·​son·​i·​fi·​er pə(r)ˈsänəˌfī(ə)r 

-īə

plural -s

: one that personifies

Synonyms of personify

Verb

• embody
• express
• incorporate

Examples of personify in a Sentence

Verb

The ancient Greeks personified the forces of nature as gods and goddesses.

Justice is personified as a woman with her eyes covered.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

No place personifies this quirky little beach town better than The Red Bar, a bohemian hangout swathed in scarlet lights that’s known for its crab cakes and in-house jazz band. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

The Princess of Wales looks like sunshine personified. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 17 June 2026

The result was a sleek white ruffled top, when worn with matching trousers felt both modern and refreshing while another floral skirt embodied a playful feminine energy that personified warm weather dressing. —Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 June 2026

Underlying everything is the widespread recognition that the establishment order, personified by Biden and his predecessors, left many Americans behind. —Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for personify

• acidify
• alveoli
• antinomy
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify

Kids Definition

personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsän-ə-ˌfī 

personified; personifying

1

: to think of or represent as a person

personify the forces of nature

2

: to be the perfect example of

she personified kindness