persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə 

-ˌnä

plural personae pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē 

-ˌnī

or personas

1

: a character assumed by an author in a written work

2

a

plural personas [New Latin, from Latin] : an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima

b

: the personality that a person (such as an actor or politician) projects in public : image

3

plural personae : a character in a fictional presentation (such as a novel or play)

—usually used in plural

comic personae

Examples of persona in a Sentence

His public persona is that of a strong, determined leader, but in private life he's very insecure.

The band takes on a whole new persona when they perform live.

Recent Examples on the Web

Buyer personas: Buyer personas involve detailed fictional representations of ideal customer profiles to fine-tune messaging for your high-value clients’ specific needs, behaviors and motivations. —Jonathan Schwartz, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Trump’s vituperative persona, his enmity toward multilateralism, and his extreme policy agenda could easily sink the United States’ prospects for meaningful leadership of the G-20. —Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024

While the women are coming in oozing with persona and charisma, there is still a sense of hesitation in trying to mark their territory. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024

He's embodied a strongman persona and doubled down on authoritarian rhetoric. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing persona

• in propria persona
• persona grata
• persona non grata

Medical Definition

persona

noun

per·​so·​na pər-ˈsō-nə, -ˌnä 

plural personas

: an individual's social facade or front that especially in the analytical psychology of C. G. Jung reflects the role in life the individual is playing compare anima sense 1