personage
gb/pɚsənəd͡ʒ/ us/pɚsənəd͡ʒ/
C1
English
~ 26000
személyiség, valaki, fontos ember, híresség, figura, szereplő
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[a/an] personage in [a field/area]
Several important personages from the art world attended the opening of the gallery.
A művészeti élet több fontos személyisége is részt vett a galéria megnyitóján.
As a leading personage in local politics, she was often asked for comment on national issues.
A helyi politika egyik vezető személyiségeként gyakran kérték, hogy kommentálja az országos ügyeket.
The ceremony was attended by foreign personages and senior military officials.
He quickly became a personage in the tech industry after founding two successful startups.
In her youth she had never imagined she would dine with such distinguished personages.
Learner examples
Many important personages came to the city for the meeting.
Sok fontos személyiség érkezett a városba a találkozóra.
He is a leading personage in the world of science.
Ő a tudományos élet egyik vezető személyisége.
The mayor is a well-known personage in this town.
Famous personages spoke at the big event.
She hopes to become a personage in the music business.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "personage" instead of "person" in everyday speech. In modern English, "personage" is formal or literary and usually refers only to someone important or famous. For a normal person, use "person" or "individual".
Meaning
an important or famous person
Collocations
important personage
|leading personage
|local personage
|a personage in [politics]
|church personage
|historical personage
Synonyms
figure (Neutral, very common; can be used for important people in many fields and sounds less formal than "personage".)
|
dignitary (Refers especially to high-ranking officials; more specific and formal than "personage".)
|
notable (Stresses that the person is well known or noteworthy; can be used for both people and things.)
Antonyms
nobody (Informal word for someone who is not important or not known, the opposite of an important personage.)
|
nonentity (Formal term for a person who is considered unimportant or has no influence.)
Themes
people
|society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An important or famous person, often known in a certain area or activity.
An important or famous person, especially in a particular field, community, or place.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
2
figura
B1
Usage pattern:
an [adjective] personage
He was an odd personage, always dressed in the same bright green suit.
Furcsa figura volt, mindig ugyanabban az élénkzöld öltönyben járt.
The village still talks about the mysterious personage who lived in the old house on the hill.
A falu még mindig beszél arról a rejtélyes figuráról, aki a domb tetején álló öreg házban lakott.
A tall, serious personage stood at the door, waiting to be invited in.
To the children, the new teacher seemed a rather severe personage.
On the train I sat across from a curious personage with three small dogs on her lap.
Learner examples
A strange personage walked slowly down the street.
Egy furcsa figura lassan végigsétált az utcán.
She is a friendly personage with many stories to tell.
Barátságos figura, sok történetet tud mesélni.
They met an old personage who knew many local secrets.
In that café you can see many interesting personages.
The children were afraid of the dark personage at the gate.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is common in spoken English, but it now sounds formal or old-fashioned. In normal conversation, people usually say "person", "guy", or "character" instead of "personage".
Meaning
a distinct or striking individual
Collocations
odd personage
|curious personage
|mysterious personage
|strange personage
|impressive personage
|charming personage
Synonyms
character (Informal; often used for someone with a strong or unusual personality; less formal and more common than "personage".)
|
individual (Neutral and common; does not have the slightly humorous or old-fashioned flavor of "personage".)
Antonyms
ordinary person (Describes someone without special or striking qualities, the opposite of a notable or unusual personage.)
Themes
people
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person seen as a special or unusual type of person, often said in a slightly formal or humorous way.
A person considered as a distinct, often striking or unusual individual, sometimes with a humorous or slightly old-fashioned tone.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
3
szereplő
A2
Usage pattern:
a personage in [a story/play]
Several of the minor personages in the play are based on real historical figures.
A darab több mellékszereplője is valós történelmi alakokon alapul.
The author introduces a new personage halfway through the novel to change the direction of the plot.
A szerző a regény felénél bevezet egy új szereplőt, hogy más irányba terelje a cselekményt.
Each personage in the story speaks in a distinct regional dialect.
In this comedy, the personages are exaggerated for humorous effect.
The list of dramatis personae includes every personage who appears on stage.
Learner examples
The main personage in the book is a young doctor.
A könyv főszereplője egy fiatal orvos.
Many personages in the play are very funny.
A darabban sok szereplő nagyon mulatságos.
This story has too many personages, so it is hard to follow.
The writer talks about each personage in the first chapter.
One personage in the film is clearly based on the director himself.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is mostly used in literary or academic writing. In normal speech and modern writing, "character" is almost always used instead of "personage" for people in stories.
Meaning
a character in a story or play
Collocations
dramatic personage
|principal personage
|fictional personage
|personage in the play
|personage in the novel
|stage personage
Synonyms
character (The normal, everyday word for a fictional person in a story; less formal and much more common than "personage".)
|
protagonist (Refers specifically to the main character, while "personage" can refer to any character.)
Antonyms
real person (Contrasts with a fictional personage created by an author.)
Themes
literature
|theater
|storytelling
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
A person in a story, play, or book, not a real person.
A character in a play, novel, or other written or performed story.
Grammar
Dictionary form
personage
IPA
GB/pɚsənəd͡ʒ/
US/pɚsənəd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
per - son - age (3 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: personage
- Plural: personages
Word family
Forms
personages
noun
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
impersonal
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.