personification
gb/pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən/ us/pɚsˌɑnəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
literary
C1
abstract
1
giving human traits to things
a way of writing where a thing is described like a person
Usage pattern:
personification of [thing/idea]
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.
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.)
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
Themes
language
|literature
|writing
|education
Examples
- In the poem, the wind is given a voice—an example of personification.
- The line 'time marches on' uses personification to make an abstract idea feel more vivid.
- Her writing relies on personification to make the city seem alive.
Learner examples
- The sentence uses personification.
- In personification, a thing acts like a person.
Noun
formal
C1
role
2
a perfect example of a quality
someone who shows a quality very strongly
Usage pattern:
the personification of [quality/idea]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it for any example; it usually means an extreme or ideal example (often in phrases like '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.)
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
Themes
people
|character
|evaluation
Examples
- To her students, she was the personification of patience.
- He’s the personification of everything she dislikes about corporate culture.
- With his neat suit and careful manners, he seemed the personification of professionalism.
Learner examples
- She is the personification of kindness.
- He is the personification of confidence.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
3
symbolic human figure for an idea
a person (often in art) that represents an idea
Usage pattern:
a personification of [abstract_idea]
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.
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.)
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
Themes
art
|culture
|religion
|symbols
Examples
- Lady Justice is a well-known personification used in courts and legal imagery.
- The mural includes a personification of Liberty holding a torch.
- In medieval art, Death often appears as a personification rather than an abstract concept.
Learner examples
- The statue is a personification of freedom.
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.
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.