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

The career of Napoleon Bonaparte, a young upstart, personified the new reliance on personal ambition and, ironically, his dictatorship was a made possible by the liberalizing military reforms that enabled his ascent. —Marjoleine Kars, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

The film personifies the push and pull between the old-fashioned and new-fangled through a new character for the beloved franchise: Norbot. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025

This annual tradition transcends our differences and personifies our shared patriotic values of family, faith, and freedom heroically defended by our military service members, law enforcement officers, and first responders. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2025

Third place went to the new U.S. government personified, Elon Musk (13.7 percent). —airmail.news, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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