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personify — to represent (a thing or abstraction) as having human characteristics or to be the perfect example of a quality

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to represent (a thing or abstraction) as having human characteristics or to be the perfect example of a quality

Pronunciation (IPA): /pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ/

Example Sentences

  • My lazy cat personifies the concept of 'doing absolutely nothing productively'
  • In Greek mythology, gods personify natural forces like thunder and sea
  • She personifies elegance in everything she does, even when eating pizza

personify

VERB

[/pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ/]

to represent (a thing or abstraction) as having human characteristics or to be the perfect example of a quality

an actor dressed as a giant tree with arms, legs, and a friendly face waves enthusiastically at the audience. The tree character speaks with animated facial expressions and gestures like a person would. A child actor dressed as the sun with a smiling face and outstretched ray-arms dances alongside the tree. The young audience watches with delight as these natural elements move and talk like real people. Other performers dressed as talking flowers and clouds join the scene with human-like movements.  abstract things being represented as having human characteristics and behaviors
💡 Concept

an actor dressed as a giant tree with arms, legs, and a friendly face waves enthusiastically at the audience. The tree character speaks with animated facial expressions and gestures like a person would. A child actor dressed as the sun with a smiling face and outstretched ray-arms dances alongside the tree. The young audience watches with delight as these natural elements move and talk like real people. Other performers dressed as talking flowers and clouds join the scene with human-like movements. abstract things being represented as having human characteristics and behaviors

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/pərˈsɑːnɪfaɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/pəˈsɒnɪfaɪ/

🌳Etymology

Rootperson
Suffix--ify

Origin

From Latin persona meaning 'person' or 'character' combined with facere meaning 'to make.' The word literally means 'to make into a person,' referring to giving human characteristics to non-human things.

Breakdown

person- (human being) + -ify (suffix meaning 'to make' or 'to cause to become')

🎵Rhyme

clarify
magnify
classify

🔗Collocations

personify evil
personify wisdom
personify nature
personify an abstract concept
personify characteristics

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My lazy cat personifies the concept of 'doing absolutely nothing productively'”

“In Greek mythology, gods personify natural forces like thunder and sea”

😄 Fun example

“She personifies elegance in everything she does, even when eating pizza”

“The author personifies death as a gentle old man rather than a frightening figure”

📚Related Words

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