split personality

noun

1

a

: schizophrenia

—not used technically

b

: multiple personality disorder

—not used technically

2

: a dual nature or character

a city with a split personality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

By this point Lufton has identified within himself a starkly split personality. —Sam Sacks, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022

Erik Asphaug, a planetary scientist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, traces this split personality back to a time when Earth had not one moon but two. —Paul Raeburn, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2011

But America suffers from a split personality in this regard. —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2010

The problem is the Republican Caucus has a split personality. —ABC News, 4 Dec. 2022

PufferFish's ambience at Metro will be something of a split personality to accommodate two kinds of customers — moody inside, with low lighting and candles, and a party outside, with bossanova on the jukebox. —Carol Deptolla, Journal Sentinel, 9 June 2022

The restaurant masterfully executes its split personality. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2022

Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Melnyk appears to have a split personality. —Markus Ziener, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2022

None of the family members seem to be aware that something is amiss except for Pat, who can see a woman, Rosemary, who may be a demon, a split personality or a muse. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

split personality

noun

1

: a mental and emotional disorder in which the personality becomes separated into two or more parts each of which controls behavior part of the time

2

: a double character or nature

a city with a split personality

Medical Definition

split personality

noun

1

: schizophrenia

—not used technically

2

: multiple personality disorder

—not used technically