personify

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

Synonyms of personify

• embody
• express
• incorporate

Examples of personify in a Sentence

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

Models were also asked to pose as corpses in crime scenes, to personify eating disorders and addictions that models might have. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026

European leaders see a 21st century where America, personified by its president, has taken a different route away from the post-war settlement. —Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

On that occasion, deprived of racing in the Olympics but not of his morality, Vladyslav Heraskevych personified the exact principles the Olympic movement pretends to defend. —Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026

The clothes personified the luxurious ease and glamour of the season. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for personify

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

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