personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī 

personified; personifying

transitive verb

1

: to conceive of or represent as a person or as having human qualities or powers

2

: to be the embodiment or personification of : incarnate

a teacher who personified patience

personifier

pər-ˈsä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• body
• embody
• epitomize
• express
• externalize
• incarnate
• incorporate
• instantiate
• manifest
• materialize
• personalize
• substantiate

Examples of personify in a Sentence

The ancient Greeks personified the forces of nature as gods and goddesses.

Justice is personified as a woman with her eyes covered.

Recent Examples on the Web

Al Gore personified this in the aftermath of the 2000 US presidential election whose result was decided by a 5-4 Supreme Court decision rendered more than a month after the election. —Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

The series explores how Bao personifies the idealism and adventurism that defined the city in the 1990s. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 8 May 2025

Framed as a love song to money — personified as a flirtatious, fickle, and sometimes cruel partner — Tiana’s new joint explores how financial security, desire, and personal history collide. —Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 6 May 2025

Their strengths have never been better personified than in the goal that sank Manchester City 1-0 at the City Ground in March. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for personify

• acidify
• alveoli
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify
• indemnify

Kids Definition

personify

verb

per·​son·​i·​fy pər-ˈsän-ə-ˌfī 

personified; personifying

1

: to think of or represent as a person

personify the forces of nature

2

: to be the perfect example of

she personified kindness