personification
gb/pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən/ us/pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
megszemélyesítés, valaminek a megtestesítője, valaminek a megtestesülése, perszonifikáció
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
1
Usage pattern:
personification of [thing/idea]
In the poem, the wind is given a voice—an example of personification.
A versben a szél hangot kap — ez a megszemélyesítés egyik példája.
The line 'time marches on' uses personification to make an abstract idea feel more vivid.
Az „az idő menetel tovább” sor megszemélyesítést használ, hogy egy elvont fogalmat szemléletesebbé tegyen.
Her writing relies on personification to make the city seem alive.
Learner examples
The sentence uses personification.
A mondat megszemélyesítést használ.
In personification, a thing acts like a person.
A megszemélyesítésben egy dolog úgy viselkedik, mint egy ember.
Common mistake:
Often confused with anthropomorphism (making an animal or object into a human character). Personification can be a brief description, not a full character.
Meaning
giving human traits to things
Collocations
use personification
|the device of personification
|poetic personification
|heavy-handed personification
|subtle personification
|personification in poetry
|personification in literature
|personification of nature
|personification of death
|examples of personification
Synonyms
humanization (Broader and less literary; can refer to making something seem more human in general.)
Antonyms
literal description (Describing something without figurative human traits.)
Themes
language
|literature
|writing
|education
Definition
a way of writing where a thing is described like a person
A figure of speech in which something nonhuman (such as an object, animal, or abstract idea) is described as if it had human qualities, feelings, or actions.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
the personification of [quality/idea]
To her students, she was the personification of patience.
A diákjai számára ő volt a türelem megtestesítője.
He’s the personification of everything she dislikes about corporate culture.
Ő mindannak a megtestesítője, amit a nő nem szeret a vállalati kultúrában.
With his neat suit and careful manners, he seemed the personification of professionalism.
Learner examples
She is the personification of kindness.
Ő maga a kedvesség megtestesítője.
He is the personification of confidence.
Ő az önbizalom megtestesítője.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it for any example; it usually means an extreme or ideal example (often in phrases like 'the personification of').
Meaning
a perfect example of a quality
Collocations
the personification of kindness
|the personification of calm
|the personification of evil
|the personification of success
|the personification of elegance
|the personification of courage
|a living personification
|the very personification
|seem the personification of
|be the personification of
Synonyms
embodiment (More general and common; does not specifically suggest 'as a person' in a figurative way.)
|
epitome (Focuses on being the best example, without the idea of 'made into a person'.)
Antonyms
counterexample (Someone or something that shows the opposite of the quality being discussed.)
Themes
people
|character
|evaluation
Definition
someone who shows a quality very strongly
A person who is considered a perfect example of a particular quality or idea.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
a personification of [abstract_idea]
Lady Justice is a well-known personification used in courts and legal imagery.
Jusztícia közismert perszonifikáció, amelyet a bíróságokon és a jogi ábrázolásokban is használnak.
The mural includes a personification of Liberty holding a torch.
A falfestményen a Szabadság fáklyát tartó perszonifikációja is szerepel.
In medieval art, Death often appears as a personification rather than an abstract concept.
Learner examples
The statue is a personification of freedom.
A szobor a szabadság perszonifikációja.
Common mistake:
Can be confused with a real person who embodies a quality (meaning 2); this sense often refers to symbolic figures like 'Justice' shown as a woman with scales.
Meaning
symbolic human figure for an idea
Collocations
allegorical personification
|a classical personification
|a female personification
|a personification of Justice
|a personification of Liberty
|a personification of Fate
|personifications in Renaissance art
|national personification
|personification as a figure
|depict a personification
Synonyms
allegorical figure (Emphasizes storytelling/symbolism; not limited to person-like representation in wording.)
Antonyms
abstraction (Presenting an idea without giving it a human form or figure.)
Themes
art
|culture
|religion
|symbols
Definition
a person (often in art) that represents an idea
A human figure, real or depicted, used symbolically to represent an abstract idea, especially in art, religion, or allegory.
Grammar
Dictionary form
personification
IPA
GB/pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
US/pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
per - son - i - fic - a - tion (6 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (fic)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: personification
- Plural: personification, personifications
Word family
Forms
personifications
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
impersonal
adjective B2
impersonally
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
Expressions
the personification of [something]
1/ðə pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
perfect example of a quality
used to say someone is a perfect example of something
Examples
- After years of chaos, she became the personification of stability on the team.
- To the press, he was the personification of youthful ambition.
- That empty, polished smile felt like the personification of contempt.
Learner examples
- He is the personification of honesty.
- She seems the personification of calm.
the very personification of [something]
1/ðə vˈɛɹi pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
an especially strong example
used to strongly emphasize 'a perfect example'
Examples
- With his gentle voice and careful listening, he was the very personification of empathy.
- The new lobby is the very personification of luxury.
- In her calm response, she was the very personification of self-control.
Learner examples
- She is the very personification of patience.