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

As Uranus shifts into your Mutable territory, a rush of new ideas and concepts could inspire a fresh take on your persona and sense of belonging in the world. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 26 May 2025

Curated by Professor Jean Wainwright, this exhibition delves behind Warhol’s public persona to reveal the man beneath. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025

If that’s not exactly fire and brimstone coming from Reid, such is the public persona of the fourth-winningest coach in NFL history. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025

But how would your family describe your traveling persona? —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025

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

Rhymes for persona

• annona
• bellona
• cardona
• cinchona
• kimono
• ramona
• belladonna
• desdemona
• bona
• dona
• jonah
• krona

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